July 2026 Update Updates to the Indiana Bottle Collectors website will be temporarily paused during the month of July 2026 as we work behind the scenes on a major reorganization of the site. Over the past several months, it has become clear that maintaining a comprehensive reference covering the entire state of Indiana requires more time than can realistically be dedicated to the project. To allow for more frequent updates and a higher-quality resource, the website will soon shift its primary focus to Northwest Indiana, with special emphasis on Lake, Porter, and LaPorte Counties. The Indiana Hutchinson Bottle and Indiana Embossed Dairy Bottle reference sections will continue to cover the entire state and will remain active and updated for the whole state. However, most other sections outside Northwest Indiana will no longer receive regular updates. Additional information about these changes, including the reasons behind them and what visitors can expect moving forward, will be announced soon. Thank you to everyone who has supported the project by sharing photographs, historical information, and bottle discoveries. Your contributions have helped make this website possible, and we appreciate your continued support as we begin this new chapter.

Graf Dairy

  • County: La Porte County
  • Location: Michigan City
  • Years Active in the Business: c. 1936-1948

According to U.S. census and burial records, Frederick Carl Graf was born on April 26, 1899, in Dortmund, Stadtkreis Dortmund, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany.

The 1930 U.S. Census records that he immigrated to the United States in 1927. He was married to Maria (Mary) Wilhelmina Boenisch.

According to The Milk Dealer: The National Journal for the City Milk Trade (1948), the Fred Dairy Co. merged with the National Milk Co. of South Bend, Indiana, in 1948.

He died on November 23, 1975 and is buried in Greenwood Cemetery in Michigan City.

See the directories tab for more information on the years his business was in operation.

1931–1935
Fred C. Graf (Mary W), residence: 508 Springland Ave.
Occupation: machinist (1931–32).
Previous occupants of 1320–1322 E. Michigan (1934):
– 1320 Keenshaw Dairy
– 1322 Hatfield Grocery Store

1936–1939
Fred C. Graf (Mary), milk dealer, residence: 508 Springland Ave.
First listed as milk dealer in 1936.
– Keenshaw Dairy Co. is listed at 1320 E Michigan in the 1936-1937 city directory. 

1940–1941
Graf’s Dairy — Fred C. Graf (Mary), proprietor
Business: 1320 E. Michigan
Residence: 508 Springland Ave.
1322 E. Michigan: Rist’s Grocery

1942–1947
Graf Dairy Co. (F. C. Graf & Mary)
Business: 1320–1322 E. Michigan
Phone: 615 (later 614)
Residence: 508 Springland Ave.

1949
Fred C. Graf (Mary), operator of The 49’er Diner, residence: 508 Springland Ave.
1320–1322 E. Michigan now listed as The 49’er Diner.
(No further Graf Dairy listings.)
Werner Graf, salesman, National Milk Co., r. 508 Springland Ave.

1950–1956
No Graf Dairy listings.
Fred C. Graf employed at Joy Mfg. (grinder/inspector/factory).
Residence continues at 508 Springland Ave.
Other family residents include Werner, Helga, and Norman.
1320–1322 E. Michigan becomes:
The Chatterbox Restaurant (early 1950s)
Gene’s Restaurant (mid-1950s)

Bottle Photos

#1

Bottle Type: Pint milk 
Embossing:
GRAF DAIRY CO. 
Glass Maker:
UGP CO 51 (embossed on heel), Universal Glass Products Co.
Other Marks:
GRAF DAIRY / MICHIGAN CITY, INDIANA (embossed on base). 
Notes:
Photo Credit:
Indiana Bottle Collectors

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#2

Base of bottle #1.

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#3

Bottle Type: 12 oz. juice 
Embossing: GRAF DAIRY / MICHIGAN CITY, IND.
Glass Maker: UGP 51 (embossed on heel), Universal Glass Products Co.
Other Marks: TWELVE FLUID OUNCES (embossed on front heel)
Notes:
Photo Credit: Indiana Bottle Collectors

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#4

Bottle Type: Quart milk
Pyroglaze / ACL: Orange pyroglaze lettering reading “GRAF’S DAIRY / SUPERIOR / PASTEURIZED MILK”
Glass Maker:
Other Marks:
On reverse; orange pyroglaze reading “Keep ’Em Flying / V-I-M (V for Victory, M for Milk).”
Notes:
War Bonds
Photo Credit:
Indiana Bottle Collectors

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Caps • Tokens • Souvenirs • Crates • Containers • Misc.

Buildings • Business • People Photos

#1

Description: Frederick C. Graf bottling milk
Photo Credit: Werner Graf II

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#2

Description: Werner Graf Sr. 
Photo Credit: Werner Graf II

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#3

Description: Graf Dairy truck parked next to the dairy at 1320 E. Michigan Street
Photo Credit: Werner Graf II

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#4

Description: Graf Dairy trucks
Photo Credit: Werner Graf II

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#5

Description: 1320 E. Michigan Street when it became Gene’s Grill in the early 1950s. 
Photo Credit: Werner Graf II

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#6

Description: 1615 Franklin Street — the former Scholl Dairy building, now the Graf Dairy Building (since 2023), featuring the original 1932 milk bottle on the roof. 
Photo Credit: Indiana Bottle Collectors — January 2026.

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#7

The demolition of 1322 E. Michigan on September 19, 1978.
From the Michigan City Historical Society collection.

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Maps

#1

Sanborn Fire Insurance Map (1948).
Note: 1320–1322 E. Michigan is on the right side. The dairy was located between School and Porter Streets. As of 2025, the site is an empty lot next to a gas station.

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