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Alpena County Bottles

This page is a listing of known bottles from Alpena County as well as some of the history of the dairies that bottled and delivered milk to the residents of this county.

MI Milkman
Adam's Dairy -  3305 Long Lake Road  - Alpena
Owned by Adam Julia Szymanski
1930’s was known to operate & deliver milk (from granddaughter, the dairy was in business from 1914 - 1945)  unknown how long milk was actually delivered in bottles on the North Side of Alpena.  
Guernsey Milk in 1/2 Pt, Pt and Qt - embossed
Alpena Co-op Creamery - 1920-30's.  One story indicates this was the former Alpena Creamery, formed into a cooperative by the local dairies that supplied milk and cream.  Alpena Creamery Company  known from 1910- 1930,  located "ft. of E. Chisholm" (1922)  This was the same address as the Alpena Farm Produce Co. who was also a creamery from about 1908
1011 State Ave Alpena (1927-28)
318 Cavanaugh St. Alpena (1930)
Owned by H.J. & Maude Sass (proprietors) in 1922 (but not found in 1924)  “Alpena Brand Creamery Butter” in 1922, Phone 84
Owned by H. Roy Robb & Reinhold C. Lange1927-28
Paul Forest was the manager in 1930
Milk in Pt. & 2 different Qt. bottles - embossed

​1/2 Pt., Pt. & Qt. bottles - embossed
Alpena Dairy  527 W. Chisholm St (1946 - 1956) phone 126 ---- then.........635 W. Chisholm St (moved here on 7-1-1956)  ---then.........110 N. 8th Ave (1959-1966)
“Milk, Cream, Arctic Sealtest Ice Cream” 1946-49
Owned by Roy & Rose Harris (owner/manager) 1946-49 -- (previously owned the Harris Creamery and Silver Line Dairy)
Owned by Harold W., William F. & Robert C. Smith 1949 - 53 , then Harold bought out the dairy, was sole owner from 1953.  It was bought out by Borden's Sani Seal Dairy in 1964, and managed by Harold Smith until closing in 1966.
Milk in round 1/2 Pt Yellow pyro, 1/2 Pt. Orange pyro, square Qt. Orange pyro & square embossed Qt.
Alpena Dairy Bar 1946 - 1956
Owned by Roy & Rose Harris (owner/manager) 1946-49
Owned by Harold W., William F. & Robert C. Smith 1949 - 53
Owned by Mrs. Iva L. Fox (Cecil)  (53-56)
            @ 525 W. Chisholm (1954)
            @ 635 W. Chisholm(1956)


Alpena Milk Company.   Known to be in business in 1927-28, but other dates are unknown at this time.  Located at 318 Cavanaugh Street, with a phone number 90.    Listed owners included Arthur W, Thomas C., Wilson C. & Charles H. Forrest & William A. Wilson.  Luman Forrest was the manager, Martin R. Schultz was the driver and Pearl Schultz was the bookkeeper in 1927-28
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Alpha Creamery - Alpena
Known to be in business in 1923-24 with an  round embossed glass ½ pint cream bottle.  Some report as early as 1907
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Blanchard's - may have operated in Alpena by William Blanchard who ?? may have sold cream about 1933-1937, then he teamed with Dietz  family to form Dietz/Blanchard Dairy in 1937-39, unknown whereabouts after 1940.  Round embossed Pt & 1/2 Pt. 
Cloverleaf Dairy - Herron Road (about ½ mile south of M-32)  Owned by Andrew Harrison   -- 1935-1942
He moved his dairy from Sauls Road in Long Rapids in 1935, formerly known as Long Rapids Dairy (33-35).
​Milk in 1/2 Pt. Pt., & Qt. Embossed bottles
Dietz/Blanchard Dairy --- 1102 State St., Alpena -- Phone 41       1937 - 39
Owned by William Blanchard (148 S. 1st St.)& Clarence & Herman Dietz whose farm was in  Cathro.  In 1939 it become the Dietz Dairy.
Possible Blanchard sold cream prior to this partnership 33-37, Dietz family sold milk as "Sunnybrook Dairy - Cathro" 1880's -1937.
Milk in 1/2 Pt., Pt. & Qt. Bottles - orange pyro
Dietz's Dairy - 1939-44   1102 State Street  (location of bottling plant in the 1940’s -- Phone 41. Formerly Dietz/Blanchard (37-39) which was formerly the Sunnybrook from Cathro. (the actual dairy was located on Deitz road in Cathro).  Owned by Clarence E. (Hazel) & Herman Dietz in 1939.   Owned by Herman W. & Meta Dietz in 1941 - 44
​Sold the dairy to John & Marie Legg in 1944 (Legg Dairy).  Sold milk by the round 1/2 Pt, Pt, and quart orange pyro (4 diff backs)    Offered whole milk as well as cream to customers.  Delivered by horse & wagon, horse & sleigh as well as by car (door to door)
Green Valley Dairy - Long Rapids , just off LR Road - Graham Rd.  Owned by Henry Zakshesky, operated from about 1933-1943.  He worked for Andrew Harrison (L.R. Dairy) for 2 years, marrying his daughter and starting his own dairy in 1933 about 5 miles east of the Long Rapids Dairy.  Henry bought all the milk he peddled from neighboring farms.  Sold milk at retail for about 10 years before leaving Alpena to head for Vermontville in 1943.  Henry's wife raised calves for the Ox Bow Dairy, keeping bulls and returning heifers.
Milk in round embossed Pt. & Qt. Bottles
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Harris Creamery -   1941-1944
Ph 126-M       128 W. Washington Ave
Owned by Roy & Rose Harris, lived at 712 Sable St.
in 1938-41 they owned the Silver Line Dairy and lived at 610 Third St.  Then in 1946-49 they owned the Alpena Dairy
Milk in 1/2Pt. & Qt. Bottles - Black & Yellow pyro
​Also sold butter in crocks with their label - blue/white
Huron Creamery ---   1933-1937
318 Cavanaugh St.--- Telephone 90
 Owned by B.G. Asselin, mgr in 1933 --(he went on to create the Asselin Ice Cream store in 1937)
Milk in 1/2 Pt, Pt & Qt. embossed bottles
Legg Dairy  --- 1102 State St   -- Phone 41
 1944 - 1952   “Formally Dietz Dairy” on a milk order 9-1-46
Owned by John M. & Marie E. Legg (1944-52 )
Owned by Alpena Coop Milk Producers Assn (A.H. Martin, mgr) --(know in 1-7-1952 to have joined the coop), then sold under the Shady Lane Dairy coop label, but bottled milk in both plants
Sold milk in square 1/2 Pt, Pt. & Qt. bottles orange pyro & round Qt. orange pyro
Long Rapids Dairy (Alpena county) - Sauls Road - Long Rapids, MI   --Owned by Andrew Harrison.  Milked cows for years before starting delivery in glass bottles.
March 2, 1933 - 1935 (when they moved to Herron Road and renamed to the Cloverleaf Dairy).  Henry Zakshesky worked for him in 1932, and then married his daughter before starting Henry's own dairy business in 1933.  First delivery vehicle was a Model A Roadster, bought for $150, traded it in on new truck - First new Delivery truck cost $633 (brand new off the showroom in Alpena)
Milk in 1/2 Pt & Qt. round embossed bottles
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 Northern Creamery Company in Alpena --  1924-1956  --Telephone 84    -   243 Chisholm & Second in 1924-1930.  Moved to East Tawas Street in 1937-39.  Moved to 245 E. Chisholm (by 1949) ** (no sign of company after 1956)
“Velvet Ice Cream and Velvet Gold Coin, Creamery Butter” 1939
 William A. McCool was the President/Owner/Manager of Northern Creamery, he lived in Traverse City but was listed as the Alpena manager along with Geer (1924-28).
Dewey A Hausding was manager of this branch of the Northern Creamery Company (based in Traverse City) 35, then purchasing the creamery on 4-25-39, renaming it the "Northern of Alpena" as it was no longer a part of the Northern Creamery Company.  Henry Bedard was the ice cream maker until he ws laid off in 1932, then deciding to run his own cream station finally retiring in 1966.
Milk in Gill, Pt., 10 oz. & Qt. round embossed bottles and a Pt blue pyro was also used in Alpena
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Northside Dairy  2nd Ave Alpena.  Known to exist in 1936 & 1940.  Another source indicated it may have moved to the end of Chisholm by the boat harbor at some time in the 40's.
Millk in round embossed Pt & Qt. bottles as well as Qt orange pyro
Norway Point Dairy - Alpena on Long Rapids Road - across from the 7 mile dam --unknown exact years, around 1930-40's?
Owned by John and Mac Martin for about 18 years.  hand milked 38-44 cows at a time by 6 people, milk was cooled on ice and then bottled by hand.  delivered by a panel truck seven days a week to Alpena customers.  Milk in Pt & Qt Embossed bottles.
Orchard Hill Dairy -- Noted in 1903, Frank owned a farm just North of Alpena on Long Lake Road, claims to be in operation since 1896.  
Owner Frank Martin (Markowski in 1903 or Markowsky) until about 1935.  As a young boy, Howard Martin worked with his sister on dad's farm,- known to operate up to 1936 delivering milk. Frank suffered (?stroke) and his son, John was appointed guardian in 1937. They had 1 delivery route in Alpena in 1943 and continued til the early 50's.  In 1950's it may have been owned by Elmer Myron Markowski (b. 1916 aka Martin) & his sister.
Milk in round embossed  Pt. & Qt. bottles & Qt. red pyro
Ox Bow Dairy -- (Corner of US-23 North and L.R. Road)  Originally the Fletcher Farms. 1915-46 When Frank Fletcher wanted to promote a healthy source for milk in Alpena --- Telephone 127 ---  Purchased high grade/registered Guernsey cattle.
“Pure Grade A Guernsey Milk” 1939
William E. Spain was the mgr from 1927-30.  Harold Werth was a farmhand in 1930 (shady lane dairy).  Gerald Werth was the milker in 1930
Alman & Lois Eagling were the owners in 1936-1946.   Alman leased the dairy from the Fletcher family and closed the dairy in 46.  Russel Eagling (mgr in '39, Herdsman in '46)
Milk in round embossed 1/2 Pt, Pt., 10 oz. & Qt. Bottles as well as 1/2 Pt round bottles in red pyro
Reisers Dairy ---- 927 State Street, Alpena --- 1930-1943.  Owned by John J.  & Mary B. Reiser in 1930.
In 1943 they had 2 delivery routes in Alpena and a specialty market for butter.  
​ Sold out to Dietz Dairy about 1943.  
“Milk, Cream, Butter, Chocolate Milk, Buttermilk - Pasteurized” 
Milk in round embossed 1/2 Pt., Pt., and Qt. Bottles
Rockfarm Dairy - Alpena  1883 - 1930's.  It was located 2 miles from Alpena
John Smith leased the "Rock Farm" and began milking cows.  on 5-25-1887, George Howard was hired to drive the delivery wagon, selling milk for 6 cents/Qt.  He advertised selling cream for 30 cents/Qt.  On 4-18-1888, John advertised the first "blob top, sealed glass milk bottles" available in Alpena.  In 1988 John leased the Rogers Farm, west of Alpena for dairy purposes to build up his business.
Arthur Heney bought the "Rock Farm"  on 7-23-1890 and continued delivering milk.  The Rock Farm had changed hands many times during the early years before being sold to Louis Fussey by 1903, he was milking 11 cows in 1905 and peddling milk in Alpena.   By 1943, Fussey had 2 milk delivery routes daily.
Milk in round embossed Pt & Qt bottles
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Roselawn Dairy - began in 1933 - about 1943?  The dairy was started by Mary Werth upon the passing of her husband Otto Werth in 1932.  In order to raise the 11 children they had, she chose to start a dairy to supplement the family farm income. The farm was located in King Settlement in Alpena.  They sold out the business to Shady Lane Dairy, continuing to ship milk there for years.  Milk in round embossed 1/2 Pt., Pt., and Qt. Bottle
Shady Lane Dairy  - 1930 - 1966  - the Farm was RR#2 owned by Harold Werths' father.  In 1934, the Bottling plant was built at 311 Parson's St in Alpena
Owned by Harold E. & Florence C. Werth, began as a private dairy in 1930 ---- Owned  as Shady Lane Dairy from 1930 - 1947.   Quit delivering with horses in 1947, just after the war.  
Owned by Alpena Coop Milk Producers Association in 1947 - 1966, this was a group of about 35 local dairy farms.  They added the Legg Dairy to the Coop in 1952
Owned by Division of Dean’s Foods Inc in 1964-1966  (but still kept the Alpena Coop name as the company logo & name). Sold in glass bottles until 1966
12-1-1966 it was sold to McDonald Dairy out of Flint., in 1972 McDonalds built a new dairy branch warehouse on US-23 south.
In 1943 Harold expanded with a dairy processing plant in East Tawas named the "Shady Lane Dairy of East Tawas".
Sold in 1/2 pt round embossed bottle w/Harold Werth name (1934), also found in round orange/green pyro 1/2 Pt, Pt. Sour cream & Qt. bottles with various backs (1946).  Later square red or green pyro 1/2 Pt., Pt. & Qt. bottles (1952).  In addition there are green & red pyro small creamers of various styles & plenty of assorted advertising items.  
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Silver Line Dairy --- known in 1939 (possible 1938-41??)
Owned by Roy & Rose Harris (home @ 610 S. Third Ave) ----(later they owned Harris Creamery 41-44 and then Alpena Dairy 46-49)
 Milk in round 1/2 Pt & Qt. Bottles green pyro
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St. Charles Dairy - (? early 1920-30's, the bottle dates from as early as 1923.  Owner reported to be Lazarus St. Charles, Farm located a mile west and south of Ossineke
Milk in round embossed Pt. & Qt bottles
Sunlite Dairy - known in 1944 - 46, but an early embossed bottle dates from about 1930
Located at 828 Washington Ave. and Owned by Adelore J. Rouleau in 1944
Owned by Earl J. & Gwen Woodend in 1946 (they lived in Ossineke)
Milk sold in round 1/2 Pt. black pyro, round Qt. bottles yellow & red pyro, brown pyro & Qt. embossed
Sunny Brook Dairy - Cathro, west of Alpena.   It was a Dietz family business from 1880's until 1937 when it merged as Dietz/Blanchard.  
The original owners were Charles and Margaret Dietz, their sons Herman & Clarence later owned the Dietz Dairy.
Milk was sold in round embossed Pt. & Qt. Bottles
Sunny Side Dairy      Alpena - Original Sunnyside was owned by Richard Naylor, farm was located North of Alpena near Genshaw Road in 1866, began as a dairy delivering milk by cream cans dipped out and put into milk pitchers.  He passed in 1889.  His wife, Mrs. Jane Naylor hired help and continued delivering milk in Alpena until 1914. 
​Otto Gennrich bought the farm located at 2430 Long Lake Road in 1929. In 1933 He bought the William Hazel Farm. In 1937, he was bottling milk at 1120 Long Lake Ave, Alpena, as the Sunnyside Dairy prior to 1937, he was buying and selling cream as "Gennrich Creamery" a separate business.  1929 - 52 Owned by Otto & Ella Gennrich.  1952-59  Owned by Otto & Arthur F. Gennrich.  1959 - 80 Owned by Arthur & Marian Gennrich only.  Switched to distributing Dairyland Valley Lea products in 1954, and by 1959 had switched to selling Sealtest products from Flint.  Art continued as a milkman until he retired on December 31, 1980 and closed the business.
Milk  sold in round red pyro 1/2 Pt, square 1/2 Pt & Qt. red pyro, round embossed Pt & Qt
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Red Rose Dairy - End of Chisholm st near the boat harbor.  
Owner Richard Weise  1934-1940
Delivered milk in a van by the quart to homes in Alpena.  Sold dairy to Deitz/Blanchard around 1940.
Milk was in plain bottles with labeled caps.
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