The Michigan City Sanitary Dairy began in 1915 at 8th and Michigan Street. After 1918, the business moved to E. 10th Street, where it operated for many years before becoming the National Milk Co. around 1948. The property later housed U-Servo beginning around 1965 and closed in 1983. The building was demolished in March–April 1999 and is now a grass lot.
“Sanitary Dairy” was a very common name for dairies during this period, so it often appears in directories and advertisements in many cities.
Here’s a 1935 article that describes the earlier history. You can also check the directories tab for more detailed listings over the years.
Sanitary Dairy Boasts Modern Plant – Built Up From “Shoe-String” Industry Within Twenty Years.
Starting from a “show-string” venture 20 years ago, the Sanitary Dairy company has developed until today it is in front rank in supplying Michigan City and environs with pure dairy products.
In August, 1915, a partnership was formed by M. C. Gloye, A. A. Gloye and P. O. Small, of La Porte, with headquarters for the concern located in the old Cold Storage building. For the next four years, the firm was devoted entirely to the retailing of milk and cream, but shortly after the World war branched out into the ice cream business.
Development of the local market continued during the following years and in 1925 Mr. Small had withdrawn from the partnership and the business was incorporated as the Sanitary Dairy with the Gloye brothers in charge.
The next year the first half of the modern structure now housing the dairy was constructed in the 300 block along East Tenth Street and four years later the garage addition was erected, it was explained the plant now contains 15,000 square feet of space and is equipped with the latest of dairy machinery for conducting the business accordingly to the ever-increasing demands of the consuming public.
Officers of the company today are: A. A. Gloye, president; Mrs. Mary Gloye, vice-president, and M. C. Gloye, secretary-treasurer. Products sold by this corporation consist of milk and cream, buttermilk, cottage cheese, vitamin D milk, “Dari-Rich” chocolate milk, “Sun-Glo” orange drink, sour butter cream and ice cream.
Twenty-seven employees are on the payroll of the dairy and 12 trucks and seven wagons are required to deliver through the community the various products to daily users. — The Michigan City News, 100th Anniversary Edition, September 1935.
Articles of Incorporation. Sanitary Dairy Company, Michigan City. $50,000 capital stock; general dairying business; directors, P.O. Small, Max C. Gloye, Albert A. Gloye.
The Indianapolis News, September 4, 1925.
Sanitary Dairy is not listed in the 1909–1910 or 1913 city directories.
1916–1918 — MICHIGAN CITY SANITARY DAIRY CO, E. Michigan, northeast corner of 8th.
1919–1923 — MICHIGAN CITY SANITARY DAIRY CO, Gloye Bros., proprietors; pasteurized milk, cream, and ice cream, 310 E. 10th, phone 151.
1925–1926 — MICHIGAN CITY SANITARY DAIRY CO, Gloye Bros., proprietors; pasteurized milk, cream, and ice cream, 306–310 E. 10th.
1927–1928 — SANITARY DAIRY CO (A. A. and M. C. Gloye), 306–310 E. 10th.
1931–1932 — SANITARY DAIRY CO (Inc.), P. O. Small, president; A. A. Gloye, vice-president; M. C. Gloye, secretary; 306 E. 10th.
1934–1935 — SANITARY DAIRY CO (M. C. & A. A. Gloye), 306–308 E. 10th.
1936–1937 — SANITARY DAIRY CO (Inc.), A. A. Gloye, president; Marie Gloye, vice-president; M. C. Gloye, secretary-treasurer; 306–312 E. 10th.
1938–1943 — SANITARY DAIRY CO (Inc.), A. A. Gloye, president; Marie Gloye, vice-president; M. C. Gloye, secretary-treasurer; 306–312 E. 10th, phone 150.
1947 — SANITARY DAIRY CO (National Milk Co.), Casper Soja, manager; 306–312 E. 10th, tel. 150.
1949 — National Milk Co., 306 E. 10th.
Bottle Type: Quart milk
Embossing: MICHIGAN CITY / SANITARY / DAIRY CO. / MICH. CITY, IND.
Glass Maker: C.H.B. Co. (embossed on heel), Chicago Heights Bottling Co.
Other Marks: Pictorial eagle (embossed above the slug plate), ONE QUART (embossed on back).
Notes: Has embossed ribs
Photo Credit: Indiana Bottle Collectors
Bottle Type: Quart milk
Embossing: SANITARY DAIRY CO. INC. / PASTUERIZED MILK / MICHIGAN CITY, IND.
Glass Maker: 
(embossed near front heel), Thatcher Glass Manufacturing Co.
Other Marks: Large “S” (embossed in middle on base), “27” (embossed on base).
Notes:
Photo Credit: Indiana Bottle Collectors
Bottle Type: Half pint milk
Embossing: None; red pyroglaze reading SANITARY DAIRY CO. / MICHIGAN CITY, IND. on both sides.
Glass Maker: UGP 51 (embossed on heel), Universal Glass Products Co.
Other Marks:
Notes: There is also a half-pint version with embossing instead of pyro that we need a photo of.
Photo Credit: Indiana Bottle Collectors
Bottle Type: 12 oz. cottage cheese jar
Embossing: SANITARY DAIRY CO. INC. / MICHIGAN CITY, IND.
Glass Maker: (embossed near front heel), Thatcher Glass Manufacturing Co.
Other Marks: COTTAGE CHEESE (see next photo), 12 OZ. NET (embossed on back near heel), “27” (embossed on base).
Notes:
Photo Credit: Indiana Bottle Collectors
This is the earliest view we have of the Sanitary Dairy at 306–308 E. 10th Street from the 1930s.
Taken from a YouTube clip HERE
Sanborn Fire Insurance Map (1922).
Note: 310 E. 10th Street between Spring & Cedar Streets.
All of the structures from 302–312 are gone, and the site is a grass lot as of 2026.
