The Iceman

James Barr, Oxford’s Iceman/ Image Courtesy of Wesley Jones

Years ago, when Charlie Watson bought the 102-year-old Tupelo Ice House, he was approached by the local paper for an article. While Charlie much appreciated the interest, he was quick to tell the reporter that the best ‘Ice House’ story lay in Oxford, with James Barr.

Most old-school Oxford folks and many former Ole Miss students need no caption for this painting. Mr. James Barr standing on the dock at the Ice House brings back a flood of memories. Painter Randy Thornton’s, “The Iceman”, is a perfect snap shot in time of an old Oxford icon. From the ice hooks in his hand to the small mouse beside the chair leg. But there is much more history here. This is the portrait of an great success story. The American Dream at work.

James Barr was born and raised in Lafayette County, Mississippi, and he probably would have never left his home state if it had not been for World War II. And here the story begins.

Barr volunteered to defend his country and went on to fight his way across Europe under the command of Gen. George Patton. After the war and his discharge from the 3rd Army Group, he returned to Oxford to find a job and resume his life. But James could not read or write. The ‘separate but equal’ days of the old South had not been equal for James Barr. But James did have one thing on his side. He could count money. And so he got hired at the little ice house down the hill from the Oxford Square, and a 40-year relationship with all walks of Oxford and Ole Miss life began.

On the lighter side, many folks will remember Mr. Barr and his lunch hour. The hand-painted, red-lettered sign denoting the prices for ice also had “gone to lunch” painted on the other side. At noon, James would flip the sign and walk up to the Square to get his lunch. Returning to the Ice House, he sat in his chair on the dock and slowly ate his meal. For that hour, the business was pretty much ‘out of business.’ If you wanted ice, then you just had to wait. At one p.m.,the sign was flipped again, and Oxford’s ice house was back in business.

Tupelo Ice House Owner Charlie Watson/ Photo By Wesley Jones

From those early days, Mr. Barr went on to marry and raise 10 children off his weekly salary chipping ice. All finished high school and several hold college degrees. A family photo from James’ later years pictured him with his grown children and many grandchildren. James Barr came from humble beginnings. He is a true icon in the collective memory of Oxford, Mississippi, and he and the old Oxford Ice House are missed by many who remember a simpler time and place. –– John Cofield

Email John Cofield at johnbcofield@gmail.com