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Palmer Dairy

  • County: La Porte County
  • Location: Michigan City
  • Years Active in the Business: c. 1936 — 1960s

The proprietor of Palmer’s Dairy was Ralph John Palmer. He was born on January 8, 1908, in Coolspring Township, La Porte County, Indiana. The 1930 U.S. Census lists him as a laborer on a dairy farm. He first appears in the 1929–1930 Michigan City Directory, where he is listed as a salesman for the Scholl Dairy Co.
He married Helen Mary Kniola on February 3, 1933.
The earliest listing we have found for the Palmer Dairy Co. appears in the 1936–1937 Michigan City directory, where it is listed at 1713½ Elston Street.

We want to keep the history accurate. Ralph died by suicide at the age of 33. According to an article published in The South Bend Tribune on December 3, 1940, he was found deceased in his home by his wife, Helen, after shooting himself. The article reported that he had been in ill health for six months. He is buried in Greenwood Cemetery in Michigan City.

After Ralph died, the dairy remained on Elston Street for a few more years, until around 1947. In the 1947 phone book, it lists only the office on Elston Street and the plant at Relief Rd. and Warnke Rd. (now 9030 E. Hwy 212). By the 1949 phone book, both the office and plant were listed on Hwy 212.

The last listing we could find was in the 1966 phone book, and it no longer appears in the 1969 phone book. It’s unclear what exact year the dairy closed, especially since we found a photo dated 1965 showing the building for sale.

1929-1930 – Palmer Ralph, salesman for Scholl Dairy Co, Rural Route 2.

1931-1932 — Palmer Ralph, salesman for Scholl Dairy Co., boards at 1115-1/2 E Michigan St.

1934-1935 — No listing

1936-1937 — Palmer Dairy Co., 1713-1/2 Elston St.

1938-1939 — Palmer Dairy Co (Ralph Palmer) 1713-1/2 Elston.
Ralph J Palmer — (Helen M) residence at 307 W Barker Ave.

1940-1941 — Palmer Dairy R J Palmer proprietor at 1715 Elston.

1942-1943 — Palmer Dairy, 1715 Elston. (listed under milk dealers)

1947 — 1712 Elston lists Elston Bar Restaurant and 1715 lists vacant.

Phone Books

1947  & 1948 — Palmer Dairy, office at 1715 Elston, phone #626, plant at Relief Rd. and Warnke Rd. (now 9030 E Hwy 212)

1949 — Palmer Dairy, office at E. Relief Hwy., plant at Relief and Warnke Rd.

Bottle Photos

#1

Bottle Type: Square quart milk
Pyroglaze / ACL: Red pyroglaze lettering reading Palmer’s / MICHIGAN / CITY / IND. 
Glass Maker:  (embossed on heel), Lamb Glass Co.
Other Marks: 
Notes:  The pyro is the same on front and back. 
Photo Credit: Indiana Bottle Collectors

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#2

Bottle Type: Quart milk
Pyroglaze / ACL: Green pyroglaze lettering reading Palmer’s / MICHIGAN CITY, IND. — PALMER’S MILK “BUILDS ‘EM HEALTHY”
Glass Maker: 
Other Marks: 
Notes:  
Photo Credit: Indiana Bottle Collectors

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#3

Bottle Type: Half pint milk
Pyroglaze / ACL: Red pyroglaze lettering reading Palmer’s / MICHIGAN CITY, IND. — PALMER’S MILK BUILDS ‘EM HEALTHY
Glass Maker: 
Other Marks: 
Notes:  
Photo Credit: Indiana Bottle Collectors

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#4

Bottle Type: Pint milk
Embossing: PALMER DAIRY / MICHIGAN CITY / INDIANA 
Glass Maker: (embossed near front heel), Lamb Glass Co.
Other Marks: 
Notes: REGISTERED (embossed on front heel). 
Photo Credit: Indiana Bottle Collectors

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#5

Bottle Type: Pint milk
Embossing: Palmer’s / MICHIGAN CITY, IND.
Glass Maker: (embossed on rear heel), Lamb Glass Co.
Other Marks: “3” (embossed on base).
Notes: REGISTERED (embossed on front heel). 
Photo Credit: Indiana Bottle Collectors

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#6

Bottle Type: Half pint sour cream jar
Embossing: PALMER DAIRY / MICHIGAN CITY, IND.
Glass Maker: (embossed on base), Owens-Illinois Glass Co.
Other Marks: “REGISTERED” (embossed on front heel).
Notes: REGISTERED (embossed on front heel). 
Photo Credit: Indiana Bottle Collectors

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

#1

Advertising fan
Photo Credit: Indiana Bottle Collectors

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#2

Letterpress printing block
Photo Credit: Indiana Bottle Collectors

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Buildings • Business • People Photos

#1

This photo was taken in 1938 and shows Palmer Dairy at its Elston Street location.
Courtesy of the Michigan City Historical Society.

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#2

This photo was taken in 1965 and shows Palmer Dairy at its Warnke Road and Highway 212 location. Note that the building is for sale.
Courtesy of the Michigan City Historical Society.

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Labels • Ephemera • Ads • Article Clippings

#1

1940s

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#2

1940s

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#3

1948 phone book

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