Our History
Sometimes, it’s important to look back to see just how far you’ve come.
Hailing since 1910, Ellsworth tells a beautiful story of many – farmers, employees, truck drivers, partners – all working together toward one simple end: crafting something truly great. In a world becoming increasingly disconnected, we’re going against the grain. We are a community that still believes in doing things the right way, right here in the heartland of America.
This is a place where farmers take incredible pride in their work, where employees stay for decades, and where generational relationships fuel generational excellence. Every product that leaves Ellsworth carries with it the pride, skill, and intentionality of hundreds of hands and hearts.
We face our challenges with honesty, transparency and resilience.
We are building, improving, and growing – What made Ellsworth successful 115 years ago still makes us successful now: care for people, pride in our craft, and a belief that when we work together, we can create an award-winning product that brings people together.
A dairy tradition worth remembering
1903
Milton Dairy Company of St. Paul, MN erected a creamery in East Ellsworth, WI, on the Old Mill site near the railroad depot. It was a large central churning plant, equipped with the day’s most modern machinery, to make butter in small packages for their retail trade in St. Paul, MN.
1910
The Ellsworth Butter and Cheese Company became a cooperative and bought out the Milton Dairy Company. It’s important to note that the term cooperative had a different meaning at that time – anyone could have stock in the company, including professions other than farming. Today, only farmers can hold stock in the company.
1912
Henry O Melgaard was the first butter maker hired at the Ellsworth Creamery Company, working here from 1912 until sometime after 1940. He learned the trade from Jens Bjerking, who learned the trade at home in Norway before immigrating to America. Henry won several competitions throughout the state for “best butter”.
Pictured here is Henry and Hilda (Swenson) on their wedding day, May 21, 1913, in front of the Pierce County Courthouse in Ellsworth.
1927
Because of the large amount of butter shipped by the Ellsworth Creamery Company to New York, six special refrigerated train cars were at the service of the Creamery. The lettering on the broadside of the cars read: ELLSWORTH CREAMERY COMPANY, ELLSWORTH, WISCONSIN, MANUFACTURERS OF PURE WISCONSIN PASTEURIZED BUTTER.
A full carload of butter from the Ellsworth Creamery was shipped every week to New York, making annual shipments of over a million pounds.
1942
The Lawton Creamery was merged with the Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery, and in later years Maiden Rock, Pepin, and Prescott were added.
1953
A resolution was passed that the Maiden Rock, Pepin, and Lawton plants were no longer needed as an integral part of the operations of the Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery. These plants were later sold off at a time that it was advantageous for the company.
1965
A cheese factory was built at the Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery location.
1983
Anthony S. Earl, the governor of Wisconsin, declared Ellsworth the “Cheese Curd Capital of Wisconsin”.
2011
In 2011, a new chapter was written in our history book when Comstock Creamery in Comstock, WI, joined the Ellsworth Creamery family. For cheese lovers, this was a marriage made in heaven. The acquisition brought with it expanded cheesemaking capabilities and we now produce 80 varieties of specialty cheeses.
2018
In 2018, Wohlt Creamery, in New London, WI, joined our family. Wohlt Creamery represents a 60-year cheese-making tradition. Specializing in process cheese products, at Wohlt, quality and innovation are woven into the culture. Servicing the needs of foodservice, retail deli, and food manufacturers, customization is our specialty.
2022
In early 2022, cheese production operations transitioned from our aging Comstock, WI plant to our new state-of-the-art specialty cheese production facility in Menomonie, WI. The first truckloads of milk were brought into the new plant in late February 2022 and cheesemaking commenced! The opening of the Menomonie retail store followed in April of 2022. The opening was commemorated with an official grand opening celebration in July of that year.
