A Medosweet milkman, carrying a load of bottles, is on his way to deliver milk on this sunny morning in this undated Chapin Bowen photograph. He has parked his small insulated truck and left the door ajar. Medosweet Dairies, a merger of the Royal Ice Cream & Milk Co. and the Producers Dairy, had a modernized plant located at South 25th & Pacific Avenue. It emphasized its pure milk products and adherence to strict standards of cleanliness as far back as 1928. Medosweet had a laboratory, the first of its kind in Tacoma, to guarantee the highest quality of their products, including milk, cream and buttermilk. The company's pasterurized milk was delivered to home and chosen grocers the same day it was brought in by the firm's selected producers. Customers could be assured that their milk was fresh.

Exterior view of the Tom La Crosse Dairy, believed to be on 224th St. in Graham. A sign is attached to a flagpole in front of the company's offices. Photograph ordered by I.D., Inc., Portland.

Tom La Crosse Dairy (Graham); Dairy products industry--Graham; Industrial facilities--Graham; Signs (Notices); Flagpoles--Graham; Flags--United States;

On October 6, 1958, a dairy farmer, possibly Kenneth Dedle, demonstrated a Chore-Boy Roll-O-Measure rigid weigh jar which appears to be filling up with milk. The weigh jar, among many other approved models, was used by both the dairyman and the DHI (Dairy Herd Improvement) programs to weigh the amount of milk each cow produced. Also, the weigh jars had a sampling valve that allowed for a milk sample to be obtained from each cow which was analyzed for milk fat and other components. The dairyman was then able to make management decisions about his herd. The Roll-O-Measure was manufactured in Cambridge City, Indiana. Sepia photograph ordered by Washington Cooperative Farmers Association. (Additional information on Chore-Boy Roll-O-Measure was provided by a reader)

Dairying; Milk; Washington Cooperative Farmers Association (Tacoma);

An unidentified employee of Royal Dairy (Royal Ice Cream & Milk Co.), 912-14 A St., is shown on October 4, 1924, washing metal milk cans. The company was well known for its slogan, "It's the Cream," as they sold quality ice cream, milk and cream. All products were manufactured in a sanitary plant in Tacoma, made for and by Tacoma people. G6.1-067

Royal Ice Cream & Milk Co. (Tacoma); Dairying--Tacoma--1920-1930;

On October 4, 1924, an unidentified employee of Royal Dairy (Royal Ice Cream & Milk Co.) examines one of three similar machines at the plant located at 912-14 A St. Royal Ice Cream, run by Bert H. Walker, had been in business since about 1900 and sold ice cream, milk and cream products. This was a locally owned business whose ad in the 1924 City Directory stated that its (cream) was a "quality cream manufactured in a sanitary plant" by "Tacoma people" and "not shipped in from outside sources." Special flavors and designs could be made for all occasions. G6.1-068

Royal Ice Cream & Milk Co. (Tacoma); Dairying--Tacoma--1920-1930;

ca. 1925. Copy negative of a photograph of the Henningsen Creamery Co., 1953 So. C St., Tacoma. "Home of Lake Park Butter" The structure was built in 1907 and was designed by Frederick Heath, architect. It was originally occupied by the Lindstrom-Berg Cabinet Works. It was purchased in 1923 by the Henningsen Creamery from the Tacoma Grocery Co. The plant was remodeled at this time. It was the object of a disastrous fire in March of 1926. The structure is now part of the campus of the University of Washington at Tacoma (UWT). TPL-7076

Henningsen Creamery Co. (Tacoma); Dairy products industry--Tacoma--1920-1930;

On March 4, 1926, firefighters from seven companies fought desperately to save the building at 1953 So. C St. The structure, built in 1907, was home to the Henningsen Creamery Co. Flames swept through the three story brick and concrete building as firefighters worked with ladders and hoses from the outside. The fire broke out at 7:40 a.m. caused by the explosion of tar being heated on an oil stove by workmen. The workers were remodeling the lower floor of the building, installing an ice cream plant. Damages were estimated at $50,000 - 100,000. This restored building is now part of the University of Washington Tacoma campus. TPL-7959, BU- 12644, G26.1-078 (TNT 3/4/1926, pg. 1+, pg. 22-picture)

Henningsen Creamery Co. (Tacoma); Fires--Tacoma--1920-1930; Fire fighting--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Two employees, believed to be Bert Sweeting and Robert Stone, of the (then) Royal Ice Cream Co. are pictured in the company's laboratory on April 18, 1928. Mr. Sweeting, head bacteriologist, is peering into a microscope while his assistant, Mr. Stone, is examining the contents of a tube. The ice cream company had moved into new quarters at 2413-21 Pacific Avenue just six months before. It had announced plans to merge with the Producers Dairy in March of 1928 and would operate under the new name of Medosweet Dairies, the name chosen in a contest won by 9-year-old Jack Richards. Medosweet had installed this laboratory, the first in Tacoma of its kind, to guarantee the highest quality of its ice cream, milk, cream, buttermilk and cottage cheese. The laboratory would use the most modern equipment to assure purity and meet exacting standards. (TDL 3-22-28, p. 3-ad; TNT 4-15-28, p. 14-ad; TNT 5-1-28, p. 2-article on lab; TNT 6-4-28, p. 5-article) G34.1-144

Royal Ice Cream & Milk Co. (Tacoma); Laboratories--Tacoma--1920-1930; Dairy products industry--Tacoma--1920-1930; Medosweet Dairies, Inc. (Tacoma)--Employees;

Three unidentified Medosweet employees are pictured on March 25, 1930, in the bottling section of the large plant located at South 25th & Pacific Avenue. Bottles are in the process of being filled with pure, fresh milk. Milk travels from the pasteurization plant to the bottling machines where the bottles are filled and capped without being touched by human hands. 35 trucks will deliver over 20,000 bottles of milk, cream and buttermilk to Tacoma homes daily. Medosweet Dairies prided itself in guaranteeing the highest quality of milk, cream, ice cream, buttermilk and cottage cheese by upholding and improving sanitary standards. G6.1-072 (TDL 4-29-30, p. 8; TDL 4-29-30, p. 5, section 3-Ad )

Medosweet Dairies, Inc. (Tacoma); Dairy products industry--Tacoma--1930-1940; Conveying systems--Tacoma--1930-1940; Bottles; Milk;

ca. 1925. Market interior featuring dairy case. Milk and cheeses in case, packaged goods on shelves in background. (filed with Argentum)

Dairy products; Milk; Cheese; Grocery stores--1920-1930; Merchandise displays;

ca. 1926. Olympic Ice Cream Company. Interior of retail outlet showing freezer. (filed under Argentum)

Olympic Ice Cream Co. (Tacoma); Dairy products industry--Tacoma--1920-1930; Ice cream & ices; Soda fountains--1920-1930;

ca. 1926. Olympic Ice Cream Company. Interior of retail outlet showing freezer. Perhaps at Court C location or at Puyallup Fair. (filed with Argentum)

Olympic Ice Cream Co. (Tacoma); Dairy products industry--Tacoma--1920-1930; Ice cream & ices; Soda fountains--1920-1930;

Exterior of the Royal Ice Cream Co. facility, 2413-21 Pacific Ave., during its Grand Opening in October of 1927. The architectural firm of Hill & Mock designed the building. The company called it the "Sanitary Sunlight Plant" and boasted how it combined utility with economy. The large windows were designed for ventilation and sunlight. It was later home to Medosweet and Foremost Dairies. (WSHS) (TDL 10/2/1927, pg. 8-A)

Royal Ice Cream & Milk Co. (Tacoma); Dairy products industry--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Royal Ice Cream Company. Display of products in a glass case with many flowers on top. Narrow room with windows on both sides. Royal Ice Cream was well known by its slogan "It's the cream." From 1900-1927, its plant was located at 912-14 A St. In October of 1927, they opened a new factory at 2413-21 Pacific Ave. A complete dairy store was included in the new plant, selling milk, ice cream and dairy products plus fine candies. (filed with Argentum) (TDL 10/2/1927, pg. 8a)

Royal Ice Cream & Milk Co. (Tacoma); Dairy products industry--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Royal Ice Cream and Milk Co. Interior of plant showing equipment during Grand Opening. Flowers in vases sitting on machines. Royal Ice Cream was well known by its slogan "It's the cream." From 1900-1927, its plant was located at 912-14 A St. In October of 1927, they opened a new factory at 2413-21 Pacific Ave. The plant bottled milk and manufactured ice cream and other dairy products. The milk was pumped into receiving tanks on the top floor where it was heated and then syphoned into glass lined tanks. It then passed over coolers into the filling and capping machine and from there to the milk storage room. The process for ice cream was similar, after being prepared and aged in holding tanks, it dropped by gravity into the freezers, where it was drawn into cans and carried by conveyor belt to large sharp temperature rooms for hardening. (TDL 10/2/1927, pg. 8A) (filed with Argentum)

Royal Ice Cream & Milk Co. (Tacoma); Dairy products industry--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Tacoma Dairy in November of 1926. The photograph is of the business office at the new dairy plant at 1802 E. 27th. A man and woman are working at desks, she writing and he on telephone. A calendar on wall gives the date as November, 1926. A cash register sits on the countertop. The dairy had opened in 1902 in an Oakland location, moving after a few years to 1654 E. 27th and then across the street to this new Spanish styled plant. (filed with Argentum)

Tacoma Dairy (Tacoma); Dairy products industry--Tacoma; Dairy products;

Three unidentified men unload milk cans from a Garford truck onto the receiving platform at the Tacoma Dairy's new, modern building at 1802 East 27th Street in November of 1926. The milk entered the building at the receiving platform, passed through the various dairying processes, and came out on the opposite side of the building bottled and ready for delivery. The Tacoma Dairy began business in 1902. They moved to 1654 East 27th Street in 1904. Their new $50,000 plant,virtually across the street from their old building, had a concrete floor with sanitary drains and modern plumbing. It was equipped with spray bath pasteurizers, automatic bottle fillers, a 50-gallon ice cream freezer, a large cheese vat and a glass-lined buttermilk bath. It was taken over by Medosweet Dairies, Inc. in 1957; in 1960 Medosweet was bought out by Foremost Foods. (filed with Argentum)

Tacoma Dairy (Tacoma); Dairy products industry--Tacoma; Milk; Dairy products;

Unidentified man loading boxes of milk bottles onto a conveyor belt at the Tacoma Dairy in November of 1926. The company had recently occupied their new modern plant at 1802 E. 27th St. Most of the plant was electrically operated with push button controls. At the time of the photograph, the plant distributed only milk, but had plans to manufacture buttermilk, cottage cheese and ice cream under the brand name of "Oh-So-Good." (filed with Argentum)

Tacoma Dairy (Tacoma); Dairy products industry--Tacoma; Milk; Dairy products;

An unidentified man is photographed at an automated milk can washing and sanitizing machine at the new modern Tacoma Dairy plant, 1802 E. 27th St. Most of the plant was automated; electrically operated with push button controls. The plant had the capacity to turnout 3, 000 gallons of milk and cream daily. The milk was delivered throughout the city by eight delivery trucks. (filed with Argentum)

Tacoma Dairy (Tacoma); Dairy products industry--Tacoma; Milk; Dairy products;

The pasteurizing room at the new Tacoma Dairy in November of 1926. The man in the background is in the receiving room, where the milk arrives from local dairies. The milk pours into large metal containers in the foreground. These are the pasteurizing machines. The Tacoma Dairy had recently moved into their new $50,000 plant at 1802 E. 27th. Herman Fuchs was the sole owner and manager of the 24 year old company. He had 18 employees. (TDL 12/12/1926, pg. B4-5) (filed with Argentum)

Tacoma Dairy (Tacoma); Dairy products industry--Tacoma; Milk; Dairy products;

Two unidentified employees operated the new bottling machine, which automatically filled and capped each glass bottle with pure fresh milk, at the Tacoma Dairy in November of 1926. Founded in 1902, the dairy opened a new, modern plant at 1802 East 27th Street in the fall of 1926. The dairy's new bottling operation had a capacity of 3,000 gallons of milk and cream a day. Its eight delivery trucks carried nine loads of milk each on a daily schedule throughout the city. The Tacoma Dairy was taken over by Medosweet Dairies Inc. in the mid-1950s. (TDL 12/12/1926, pg. B4-5)

Tacoma Dairy (Tacoma); Dairy products industry--Tacoma; Milk; Dairy products;

Tacoma Dairy. Two men looking at a set up with several pipes at the new modern plant of Tacoma Dairy in November of 1926. Although the plant was only processing milk at the present time, they had plants to manufacture buttermilk, cottage cheese and ice cream. (filed with Argentum)

Tacoma Dairy (Tacoma); Dairy products industry--Tacoma; Milk; Dairy products;

Intact Medosweet Dairy truck, photograph ordered by Fageol Motor Sales Co., 717 Dexter, Seattle. (filed with Argentum)

Medosweet Dairies, Inc. (Tacoma); Trucks--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Former Lincoln automobile dealership, new home of Olympic Dairy at 9th and K Street in March of 1939. Photograph ordered by Corky Maybin at the Tacoma Times. The structure was built in 1925 from a design by C.F.W. Lundberg for Mutual Motors. It was home to Donoghue Chevrolet, American Motors Inc. and Tommy Burns Inc. before becoming the new plant for the Olympic Dairy in 1939. Remodeling the structure and adding modern equipment cost Olympic more than $75,000. The 30 year old firm did not move any of their old equipment to their new plant. (filed with Argentum) (T. Times 3/30/1939, pg. 7)

Olympic Dairy (Tacoma); Dairying--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Tacoma Dairy truck at the dairy's plant, 1802 E. 27th St. The structure was built in 1926. (filed with Argentum)

Tacoma Dairy (Tacoma); Dairy products industry--Tacoma;

Washington Co-Operative Farmers' Association was building a new $1,000,000 feed mill. This facility would join the existing building, the new building would house a 165 foot mill and warehouse. The basic construction on their new grain elevator was near completion. The expansion and new elevator would give Washington Co-Op modern facilities. Exterior view of new building, scaffolding on left side.

Dairy products industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Industrial facilities--Tacoma; Building construction--Tacoma--1940-1950; Progress photographs; Scaffolding--Tacoma; Washington Cooperative Farmers' Association (Tacoma);

June was Dairy Month in the State of Washington and local businesses helped to advertise the virtues of drinking milk. A window display in the Sears, Roebuck store on June 8, 1953, was filled with photographs of cows, perhaps prize-winners, along with cut-outs of nature's "food factory" and a scale model of a dairy. Posters reminded passersby that dairy foods, including milk, cheese and ice cream, were "nature's goodness..at its best!" TPL-9371

Dairy products; Sears, Roebuck & Co. (Tacoma); Window displays--Tacoma--1950-1960; Signs (Notices); Advertisements--Tacoma;

Rounds of cheese stored for aging, cheese making process- Tillamook cheese. Taken for the Tillamook County Creamery Assoc., Garibaldi Oregon. Most cheese is not ready to eat until it has had time to ripen, or age. The flavor of the cheese develops during the ripening period. Bacteria in cheese keep working until the cheese is right, and the cheese maker encourages or stops bacterial growth by controlling the temperature and humidity of the storage area. Cheeses lose moisture as they ripen. The longer a cheese is left to ripen, the drier it gets and the harder it will be. The ripening period can range from a few days for soft cheeses to more than two years for a hard cheese like Parmesan.

Cheese; Dairy products industry--Oregon--1950-1960;

New separator at Medosweet Dairies of Tacoma, for Monroe Dairy machines of Seattle. The separator was a device for separating liquids of different densities, such as milk from cream. After World War II, technological advances made the cross over from military use to industrial use. The dairy industry was one of the industries that benefited, becoming increasing more mechanized. Another advance was the use of stainless steel in sanitary food processing.

Medosweet Dairies, Inc. (Tacoma); Dairy products industry--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Conveyor machinery at Medosweet Dairy, The Heid Company, Seattle, Mr. Claude F. Conrad. An employee places glass milk bottles into the washing machine at Medosweet Dairy. Wooden cartons for returned bottles stand in stacks near him, empty and ready to be filled. TPL-9366

Medosweet Dairies, Inc. (Tacoma); Dairy products industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Conveying systems--Tacoma--1940-1950; Bottles;