Phillips County Museum News for Wednesday, June 27, 2024

The earliest large creamery in Malta was completed in October 1912 but did not start operating until March 1913. The one-story building contained the most modern and up-to-date machinery. It was stated that special attention was being given to sanitation. The first board of directors consisted of R. V. Tucker, Phil Caselberg, J. F. Kilduff, H. G. Robinson and Dr. George W. Clay.

Mrs. Atwood of Strater sent in the first cream. Only butter was produced at the beginning. The butter was marketed under the name “Malta’s Pride” which was the winning name suggested by Mrs. Clarence Brockway. The butter wrapper had a large red rose with the name printed in black across it. The creamery was capable of producing 10,000 pounds of butter a day if it received 5,000 gallons of cream daily. It was expected that people up and down the hi-line would use the Great Northern Railway to ship their cream to Malta.

Once the creamery was producing butter the stockholders and directors authorized the sale of more shares of stock so that a complete ice cream plant could be put in. Local dealers agreed to take 1,800 gallons of ice cream. It was hoped that Saco and Dodson dealers would also purchase ice cream from the creamery.

The creamery many of us remember is the Meadow Valley Creamery which was owned by Einar Olson. It made and sold butter, ice cream, cottage cheese and milk. There was even a soda fountain. That building is now the home of Ranchers Stewardship Alliance.

Stop by the Phillips County Museum to learn more fascinating facts about early-day life in the area.

We are open Monday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.