In 1883, Caroline Myrick Goodhue made her mark on early Phoenix by purchasing Lots 6, 8, 10, and 12 in Block 31 from the Common Council of the City of Phoenix. This block was located near 4th Street and Jefferson, placing her in the heart of the growing town. Around the same time, she opened her Ice Cream Parlor near 1st Street and Washington, a central location close to both the Arctic Ice Works and the Phoenix Ice Factory, two businesses that were vital to preserving perishables in the desert climate. The proximity of her shop to the ice houses made perfect sense, as ice cream was still a luxury in frontier towns.
An 1883 newspaper article celebrated her return from visiting family in Canada, recalling with fondness the “happy associations in the hearts of our belles and beaux” and how her parlor was known for its tastefully arranged rooms, ice cream, cake, and social gatherings. Mrs. Goodhue’s establishment was more than a business—it was a social hub, offering Phoenix residents and visitors a refined place to gather in the Territory’s rough early days.
Her presence in the business district reflects the entrepreneurial spirit of pioneer women, who contributed to the cultural and social life of Phoenix as much as its economic growth. Through her ice cream parlor, Caroline Goodhue helped bring a touch of sweetness and civility to a frontier community carving its identity in the desert.
