HISTORIES:  "Barron Cooperative Creamery" of Barron, Barron County, WI

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                    Barron Cooperative Creamery

The Barron Cooperative Creamery was organized at a meeting of stockholders 
January 18, 1902. The following officers were elected; J.E. Bowen, 
president; William Bartlett, vice president; W.L. Brown, secretary; George 
Brown, treasurer; directors; J.P. Crowley, E.E. Joyce, J.E. DeWolfe, Paul 
Paulson, and J.E. Wichern. The organization was capitalized at $3,000. The 
directors bought the old creamery plant, a wooden building, from N.M. 
Rockman on February 25, 1902. For the past 58 years this plant has had a 
remarkable and steady growth. In large measure the growth and prosperity 
of Barron and the surrounding farm areas has been dependent upon the growth 
and efficient operation of this organization since the turn of the century.

In 1902 there were 70 patrons and only 61,454 pounds of butter fat were 
received. In 1951, fifty years later, the plant received 3,832,891 pounds 
of butter fat from almost 1,000 patrons. During the first 20 years of 
operation this creamery produced nearly 19 million pounds of butter. During 
part of this time some other milk products besides butter were produced.

In 1927, this plant received 16,890,390 pounds of whole milk; in 1951 it 
received 90,971,538 pounds of whole milk. In 1902, 70,416 pounds of butter 
was the total production for the year. In 1952 this much butter was 
produced in 3 days.

In 1907 a modern brick plant 48 by 72 feet was built. Later this was 
enlarged to 59 by 130 feet. This is now called the "B" plant. In 1927 the 
Grade "A" plant was built and the plant began receiving whole milk from its 
patrons. Now the output includes butter, 2 types of powdered milk, 
condensed milk, and plastic cream.

Much of the whole milk goes to Chicago. Some milk trucks go as far south 
as El Paso, Texas.

This creamery meets the rigid systems of inspection required by the Chicago 
Board of Health and the U.S. Public Health Service. Only milk of the 
highest quality can be marketed in large cities.

In 1918 the plant began drying buttermilk and later both dried skim milk 
and dried whole milk were added to the production. Needless to say the 
processes of pasteurization, homogenization and vitamin enriching have 
long been in operation in this plant. The products from this creamery are 
sold all over the United States and in many foreign lands.

Not only has the plant been expanded as more room was required, but new, 
up-to-date machinery has been introduced as soon as it became available. 
Over the years many visitors have come to Barron to study and observe this 
efficient, modern, successful plant in operation. Many of them wished to 
start milk processing plants elsewhere.

During the 59 years of the life of this organization five men have held the 
important position of manager. J.E. Bowen served two terms, 1902-1909 and 
1927-1934. A.W. Arndt served from 1909-1927. Lloyd Nelson and Arnold Elkin 
served from 1934-1955. There was one employee in 1902; today there are 
sixty. The wonderful success of this organization has been due to the 
ability and hard work of these men and the directors and also to the 
devotion and loyalty of the hundreds of employees, over the years, who have 
done their daily tasks faithfully and well.

Today 11 tank trucks and 18 can trucks bring the milk from the farms to the 
plant. The plant furnishes steam heat for both the junior and senior high 
schools, and also for the new Methodist Church and Barron Community 
Memorial Hospital. In 1959 the Barron Cooperative Creamery paid its patrons 
almost three and three fourths million dollars, for whole milk.

--From the Souvenir Historical Album of the Barron Centennial-1960
(used by permission)