On Tuesday, October 16, the Montgomery Area Historical Society held a presentation on dairies of the area at the Grange #1 on route 15. Many came out to learn of the rich history of Montgomery’s dairies.

The oldest was the Dunn Dairy, which opened in 1908. They were the first producers of bottled milk that was delivered door-to-door. Other dairies, such as Savidge, Staib, Chamberlain, Brookside, and Groom soon followed. The Hulsizers purchased the Dunn Dairy in 1928, and were the first to offer chocolate, or what they referred to as “cocoa”, milk. They were a generous group too, giving milk to those who couldn’t afford it. Few dairies could compete with Hulsizers, but it was sold to the Groom Dairy when the Great Depression hit the area in 1930.

Many other stories of milkmen and local interaction with the dairies were shared, including all the way through to the days of Ratke and Mowery Dairies. The next time you purchase that gallon of milk, consider how different that purchase would have been just thirty years ago.

Montgomery events

Friday, October 26, there will be a free adult flu and pneumonia shot clinic at the Montgomery Area School District Field House.

November 4 – Montgomery Area Historical Society’s Adam Room open from 1-3 p.m., below Montgomery Area Public Library.

November 13 – Montgomery Elementary PTO Meeting, 3:30 pm, Montgomery Elementary Library, 120 Penn St., Montgomery.