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The Wheatridge Dairy

Contributed by: Lenny Ortiz on 12/2/2006

One of the main national features that has put Wheat Ridge on the map, besides Wheat Ridge Cyclery, Lutheran Hospital, Ridge Home, the RMBC (Coors Bottle Company), Dave Logan, Jolly Rancher and the 2006 State Champs in football -- WR Farmers--- is the Wheatridge Dairy.

The dairy, known as one word, "Wheatridge," is a local icon that many of us natives frequented long before it was abandoned. From my limited research, the S. Burry family owned the dairy near 44th and Wadsworth Blvd. A 1937 calendar in my collection shows Burry and his sons sold milk, cream, orangeade and chocolate milk. The phone number was Arvada 220 and the mailing address was Box 279 in Wheat Ridge.

My great aunt and her husband met at the dairy just after World War II, when he was stationed at Lowry Air Base. My mother's Sunday treat was her parents taking her to the dairy for an ice cream, as they lived on a large property on 44th. I remember as a child, my parents taking me to the dairy for ice cream in the 1960s, as we lived on my grandparents' property.

The relics I have found in the past couple of years are milk bottles, bottle caps (A.K.A. Pogs), pie tins, hot pads and playing cards. This collection of WR Dairy items is known as one of the most extensive collections for such a small local dairy, according to Colorado milk bottle collectors.Gibson and Carlson Frink were also large in the area, but the locals kept their local dairy in business for many years.

I am glad to share a piece of local history with my fellow citizens.



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Showing 1-2 of 2 comments
Submitted By: Richard Turner
posted on 1/17/2007 @ 2:53:46 PM
Rated Story
My wife worked at the Wheat Ridge Dairy as we struggled to keep a roof over our head. I wrote a musical comedy based upon my experience at the Dairy from a young boy stopping by with my dad for ice cream going or coming from the beautiful mountains camping. The play has been produced and presented many times; "Bobby Grand's Doe Stop Cafe". Many of the people I have met through the years were inspirations for characters in the play. The Dairy was a great place to stop by and get good food. -Richard
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Submitted By: Lenny Ortiz
posted on 12/9/2006 @ 3:48:25 PM
(Not Rated)
A big thanks to Don at 6652 W 38th Ave (303) 424-7721. He called me and offered a Wheatridge Dairy cream can, which of course will be added to my collection...
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Showing 1-2 of 2 comments
CONTRIBUTOR INFORMATION

Lenny Ortiz

Wheat Ridge , CO

Lenny Ortiz has posted 22 stories and 12 comments since joining on 7/27/2006. Lenny Ortiz 's average story rating is 4.68.
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