The immigrants paid $1.50 to $2.50 per week toward the purchase of their new homes. The simple cedar-shingled cottages lacked indoor plumbing, were modestly furnished and heated by wood burning stoves, and the only light was provided by kerosene lamps. Of course, there was no refrigeration, so ice was purchased in large blocks as often as necessary. There were no ice factories in Tampa, so the commodity was shipped in by rail, which added to its cost. It is said that the immigrants spent more on ice than they did on wood or kerosene.
