shelf w/ a hole?

[melliroo (WavyGlass)]

Hi folks,

Found this shelf (after prying up drywall that had been nailed over the hole, then painted) in a narrow closet. Any idea what it might have been for? It's about 2.5 feet off the floor. Our house was built in 1910.

Thanks!

[Gothichome]

How about a pole hole for a lazy Suzan type device. Just a guess.

[Neighmond]

I still have the pan for one of those-It is galvanized metal, painted, with a drain tube in the bottom. A pail sat below it. Even though she had a regular ice box, she used to put ice in it and it kept things chilled in this little closet thing on the old back porch (which was intact, but thoroughly rotten when I bought the joint, so I tore it off.)

[Don M]

Where is this located; in a kitchen or bath? It looks like the wood is sort of bowl shaped which might fit with the ice comment above. I was thinking of a water heater or water tank may have sat in that depression?