SILVERHILL CREAMERY

     During the early years of settlement, the Svea Land Colony aimed to establish a pure Swedish community. The group purchased large tracts of land in central Baldwin County with the intention of creating a town at the center. Surrounding this town, they planned to have larger parcels of land designated for farms.

     The colonists moving into the Silverhill settlement were very isolated. There were no roads, only dirt trails. The closest train depots were in Bay Minette and Mobile. Since there were no bridges to Mobile, access to their train station involved a ferry ride across the bay.

     Their isolation worked in their favor to preserve their culture and language, but worked against them when it came to selling their farm produce and buying supplies. The founders recruited different businesses to help with this issue. A hotel that included a general store and post office was built in the center of town by Charles Olander. The blacksmith, John Isackson built his shop in town so the farmers could have implements made and repaired.

     At first the farmers were only raising produce for their own consumption. Most of their time was spent in building homes and farm buildings, clearing land, and experimenting to see what would grow in the soil and climate.

     By 1901 the farmers were able to market some of their produce. This involved transporting their goods by wagon to Daphne and from there by boat to Mobile.

     Silverhill's sister Swedish settlement in Thorsby, Alabama, had found some success in raising peaches. Inspired by this, farmers in the Silverhill colony planted 11,500 peach trees during 1904-1905. However, instead of the anticipated good income, they faced disappointment as disease and drought killed most of the trees by the second year. Only a few trees survived, making this a costly and unfortunate experience for the colonists.

     In December 1905, the farmers met to discuss the potential development of industries beyond farming. However, no progress was made until August of 1908, when Adolph Oscar Berglin converted his butcher shop into a creamery in Fairhope. This was the only dairy processing plant in Baldwin County, and it required farmers to transport their milk over long and difficult roads. This made the idea of a local creamery in Silverhill both appealing and practical.

Charles O. Carlson, one of the founders of the Svea Land Colony, persuaded Claus J. Frisk, an experienced dairyman from Daggett, Michigan to come to Silverhill and evaluate the area to determine if he could operate a creamery there. Originally from Sweden, Frisk in his mid-forties, found it promising and bought 4 lots in town where he began building the creamery in 1909.      The Silverhill Creamery began operating in April 1910, which included an ice-making machine. There was no electricity or means of refrigeration at that time in Silverhill.

Claus Frisk 1910.

Olof J. Armstrong and his dairy herd, about 1915.

     The families each had at least one milk cow for their own use. Now they could bring their extra milk to the creamery. This provided a stable income for those in the colony. As a result, the farmers became interested in upgrading and purchasing better cattle, which in turn encouraged them to continue developing improved herds and expanding the operations of the creamery.

Silverhill Creamery about 1910-1915. Man with a beard is O.P. Forsman. Man drinking is Charlie Gustafson.

     For the next eleven years, Frisk ran the creamery making improvements until the early morning hours of Friday, July 29, 1921, when a fire destroyed the entire business including one of his three delivery trucks. The night watchman reported that he was filling a kerosene lantern when the incident occured.

     It was a heart-breaking loss for the community. The uninsured business was estmated to be worth over $16,000 which would be the value of $253,000 in 2024.

1910 Ice Cream Maker's Apparatus & Supplies Catalog, Creamery Package Mfg Co. - Select to open PDF of catalog.

Here are a few pages from the catalog of ice cream apparatus and supplies from the Creamery Package Manufacturing Company, Catalog 302, 1910. This catalog features disc freezers, power ice cream freezers, wood ice cream cabinets or refrigerators, platform trucks, brushes and mops, ice tools, packing tubs and cans, moulds, parchment circles and squares, Monarch ice cream pails, boxes, flavorings, milk cans, and assorted small tools, fittings, and supplies. The catalog was 6" x 9" and 56 pages. The Creamery Package Manufacturing Company produced processing equipment and other goods for the dairy industry, and the growing ice cream market.

     After the initial shock of losing the business, the people of Silverhill tried in vain to convince Frisk to rebuild the creamery. Within twenty days of the disaster, Frisk had decided that it was in the best interest of its success if the creamery were built in Robertsdale near the railroad to minimized shipping costs.

     Then a fews days later, an announcement out of Silverhill informed the public that a new creamery would be constructed in town one block from the destroyed creamery and independent from the one to be built in Robertsdale. The area would have two creameries.

1900 Homemade Ice Cream Recipes      Here are some recipes to make homemade ice cream from the White Ribbon Cook Book by the Clay County Temperance Union published in 1900 for "Ices, Ice Creams and Beverages" from the Nebraska Library Collection at History Nebraska.      Some of the recipes list Jell-O Ice Cream Powder and Crystal Flake which were both gelatin products to add to the cream mixture.

     Oscar Johnson owned the lots across the street from the burnt creamery, which he planned to use for the new creamery location. Construction began immediately. By the end of the year, the building was finished and the machinery had been ordered.

     Oscar Johnson was one of the officers of incorporation. Two others were Hans G. Erickson and Victor Olson. They incorporated on December 8, 1921 under the name of Silverhill Creamery Association, Inc.

     One-hundred dollar membership certificates were sold and officers were elected. The president elected was Nils J. Mohe, vice president Frank Havel, treasurer William Snyder, secretary Peter Forsman who was also hired as business manager.

Silverhill Creamery Association, Inc. Membership Certificate
Click each to enlarge or expand and read.

Silverhill Creamery Association, Inc. Membership Certificates dated February 1, 1922, $100 each. Top left certificate No. 14 bought by Charles Brown. Top right is the certificate back. Bottom, certificate No. 3 bought by Charles Lyrene.

Silverhill Creamery Inc. with an advertising banner for the DeLaval Cream Separators. Oscar Johnson is standing at the right. Behind the building stands its own water tower, about 1922.

     The creamery was fully operational by March 1, 1922. An open house followed the next week with the whole community attending. Speeches were given by Dr. O.F.E Winberg, Oscar Johnson and Charles Lyrene. The guests were treated to refreshments of ice cream, cake and buttermilk made at the creamery. Anton Kulicka was then the plant manager.

     The creamery successfully continued business until 1931 when, because of the depression, it defaulted on its loan from the State Bank of Silverhill. The bank then sold the creamery at an auction on the front steps of the bank to Joseph Kulicka in March 1931. He kept the creamery operating until 1934.

This is a recent satellite view of the lots that contained the 1910-1921 Silverhill Creamery, highlighted in pink; lots that contained the 1922-1931 Silverhill Creamery, highlighted in green; lots that contained the Frisk house highlighted in blue. - Click to enlarge.

     Location: The Silverhill Creamery built in 1910 was at the site that is now 22180 2nd Street, Silverhill (town block 1, lots 15-18, colored on the map in pink). This building no longer exists. A house was later built in this place in 1969.

     Location: The Silverhill Creamery built in 1922 was at the site that is now 16141 and 16171 2nd Avenue, Silverhill (town block 2, lots 10-15, colored on the map in green). This building no longer exists. The original six lots were sold in two pieces, three lots each. Two houses were later built in this place in 1961 and 1974.

     Location: The house built by Claus J. Frisk and wife Mathilda in 1918 was at the site that is now 16219 Silverhill Avenue, Silverhill (town block 16, lots 12 and 13, colored on the map in blue). This house still exists. George D. Lundberg and wife Louise Lundberg bought this house in 1922 when the Frisks moved to Robertsdale.

     Interesting facts:

1. Silverhill had 2 creameries. One from 1910 to 1921 which was privately owned. The second from 1922 to 1931 which was run as a farmers co-operative.

2. The creamery was a dairy processing plant that made ice, ice cream, skim milk, cream, butter, and buttermilk. It separated the milk from the cream and pasturized it.

The house on the right is the home that Claus J. Frisk built for himself and his wife Mathilda in 1918. George D. Lundberg and wife Louise Lundberg bought this house in 1922 when the Frisks moved to Robertsdale. The house on the left is the home that O.F.E. Winberg built in 1905. The road in front of the houses would become Silverhill Avenue, also named Alabama State Highway 104. - Click to enlarge.

DEEDS and RECORDS

First Creamery

Sale of property: C. A. Vallentin, one of the founders of the Svea Land Colony, sold lots 15, 16, 17 and 18 in Block 1 in Silverhill, where the first creamery was built, to Claus J. Frisk on March 17, 1910, filed August 23, 1910. Also included in this deed was the sale of lots 12 and 13 in block 16 where Claus J. Frisk built his house.
View PDF File of the Document

Second Creamery

Transfer of property: The estate of the late Oscar Johnson transfered ownership of lots 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15 in block 2, where the second creamery was built, to the Silverhill Creamery Association Inc. on December 6, 1930, filed February 12, 1931. This deed was dated 3 months after the death of Oscar Johnson, Silverhill's founder.
View PDF File of the Document

Foreclosure deed: The State Bank of Silverhill purchased all of the property owned by the Silverhill Creamery Association Inc. and lots 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15 in block 2, (where the second creamery was built in Silverhill), at an auction on the front steps of the bank. Deed dated March 17, 1931, filed April 2, 1931.
View PDF File of the Document

Sale of property: The State Bank of Silverhill sold all of the property owned by the Silverhill Creamery Association Inc. and lots 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15 in block 2, (where the second creamery was built in Silverhill), at an auction on the front steps of the bank to Joseph Kulicka. Deed dated March 18, 1931, filed April 2, 1931.
View JPG File of the Deed dated March 18, 1931 to Joseph Kulicka.

Notice of Sheriff's Sale: A newspaper announcement to sell to the highest bidder all of the cremery equipment and lots 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15 in block 2, (where the second creamery was built in Silverhill), in front of the court house door on October 24, 1932.
View JPG File of the Newspaper Clipping taken from the Onlooker, September 22, 1932.

Quitclaim Deed: for lots 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15 in block 2, (where the second creamery was built in Silverhill), to Joseph Kulicka. Deed dated January 21, 1933, filed January 27, 1933.
View JPG File of the Quitclaim Deed dated January 21, 1933 to Joseph Kulicka.

Mutual Agreement: for the J. E. Cunningham's Dairy and Cream of Atmore to use a machine from the Silverhill Creamery of Joseph Kulicka. Agreement dated March 30, 1934.
View JPG File of the Agreement dated March 30, 1934.

Sale of property: Joseph Kulicka sold all of his property of lots 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15 in block 2, including machinery and equipment (where the second creamery was built in Silverhill), to L.A. Berglin of the Fairhope Creamery. Deed dated March 30, 1937, filed August 30, 1958.

View JPG File of page 1 of the Deed dated March 30, 1937 to L.A. Berglin of the Fairhope Creamery.

View JPG File of page 2 of the Deed dated March 30, 1937 to L.A. Berglin of the Fairhope Creamery.

Frisk House

Sale of property: C. A. Vallentin, one of the founders of the Svea Land Colony, sold lots 12 and 13 in block 16 to Claus J. Frisk where he built his house. Also included in this deed was the sale of lots 15, 16, 17 and 18 in Block 1 in Silverhill, where the first creamery was built, to Claus J. Frisk on March 17, 1910, filed August 23, 1910.
View PDF File of the Document

Sale of property: On June 9, 1922, Claus J. Frisk and wife Mathilda sold lots 12 and 13 in block 16 where Claus J. Frisk built his house, to George D. Lundberg and wife Louise Lundberg, filed June 15, 1922.
View PDF File of the Document

Sale of property: On January 29, 1946, George D. Lundberg and wife Louise Lundberg sold lots 12 and 13 in block 16 where Claus J. Frisk built his house, to Joe Kulicka.
View JPG File of the Sale of property on January 29, 1946.

Transfer of property: On June 10, 1947, Joe Kulicka sold lots 12 and 13 in block 16 where Claus J. Frisk built his house, to his wife Agnes Kulicka, filed December 4, 1947. Joe Kulicka died July 28, 1947.
View JPG File of the Sale of property on June 10, 1947.

Newspaper Clippings and Articles of
The Silverhill Creamery
Click each to enlarge or expand and read.

Newspaper Clipping taken from the Baldwin Times, October 07, 1909. Click to expand entire article.	Newspaper Clipping taken from the Onlooker, April 08, 1910.
Newspaper Clipping taken from the Onlooker, July 29, 1910.	Newspaper Clipping taken from the Onlooker, Jan. 18, 1914.
Newspaper Clipping taken from the Onlooker, Feb. 11, 1914.	Newspaper Clipping taken from the Onlooker, Dec. 09, 1914.
Newspaper Clipping taken from the Onlooker, Feb. 10, 1915.	Newspaper Clipping taken from the Onlooker, April 07, 1915.
Newspaper Clipping taken from the Fairhope Courier, May 04, 1915.	Newspaper Clipping taken from the Fairhope Courier, April 27, 1917.
Newspaper Clipping taken from the Fairhope Courier, Oct. 11, 1918.	Newspaper Clipping taken from the Onlooker, May 26, 1919.
Newspaper Clipping taken from the Onlooker, Aug. 21, 1919.	Newspaper Clipping taken from the Onlooker, Jan. 15, 1920.
Newspaper Clipping taken from the Onlooker, Mar. 18, 1920.	Newspaper Clipping taken from the Onlooker, Apr. 15, 1920. Click to expand entire article.
Newspaper Clipping taken from the Fairhope Courier, May 21, 1920.	Newspaper Clipping taken from the Onlooker, Apr. 28, 1921.
Newspaper Clipping taken from the Onlooker, May 05, 1921.	Newspaper Clipping taken from the Onlooker, May 09, 1921.
Newspaper Clipping taken from the Onlooker, Aug. 04, 1921.	Newspaper Clipping taken from the Onlooker, Aug 04, 1921. Click to expand entire article.
Newspaper Clipping taken from the Onlooker, Aug. 04, 1921. Click to expand entire article.	Newspaper Clipping taken from the Fairhope Courier, Aug. 05, 1921.
Newspaper Clipping taken from the Onlooker, Aug. 18, 1921. Click to expand entire article.	Newspaper Clipping taken from the Fairhope Courier, Aug. 19, 1921.
Newspaper Clipping taken from the Onlooker, Aug. 18, 1921. Click to expand entire article.	Newspaper Clipping taken from the Onlooker, Aug. 25, 1921. Click to expand entire article.
Newspaper Clipping taken from the Onlooker, Sep. 01, 1921.	Newspaper Clipping taken from the Onlooker, Sep. 15, 1921. Click to expand entire article.
Newspaper Clipping taken from the Onlooker, Sep. 15, 1921.	Newspaper Clipping taken from the Fairhope Courier, Sep. 16, 1921.
Newspaper Clipping taken from the Fairhope Courier, Sep. 30, 1921.	Newspaper Clipping taken from the Onlooker, Oct. 20, 1921.
Newspaper Clipping taken from the Fairhope Courier, Oct. 21, 1921.	Newspaper Clipping taken from the Onlooker, Oct. 27, 1921.
Newspaper Clipping taken from the Onlooker, Nov. 10, 1921.	Newspaper Clipping taken from the Fairhope Courier, Nov. 11, 1921.
Newspaper Clipping taken from the Onlooker, Dec. 15, 1921.	Newspaper Clipping taken from the Fairhope Courier, Feb. 03, 1922.
Newspaper Clipping taken from the Onlooker, Feb. 09, 1922.	Newspaper Clipping taken from the Onlooker, Feb. 23, 1922.
Newspaper Clipping taken from the Onlooker, Mar. 02, 1922.	Newspaper Clipping taken from the Onlooker, Mar. 02, 1922.
Newspaper Clipping taken from The Baldwin Times, Mar. 09, 1922.	Newspaper Clipping taken from the Onlooker, Mar. 09, 1922.
Newspaper Clipping taken from The Fairhope Courier, Mar. 10, 1922.	Newspaper Clipping taken from The Fairhope Courier, Mar. 10, 1922.
Newspaper Clipping taken from The Baldwin Times, Mar. 16, 1922.	Newspaper Clipping taken from The Fairhope Courier, Mar. 24, 1922.
Newspaper Clipping taken from the Onlooker, Mar. 30, 1922.	Newspaper Clipping taken from The Baldwin Times, Apr. 06, 1922.
Newspaper Clipping taken from The Baldwin Times, May 18, 1922.	Newspaper Clipping taken from the Onlooker, July 06, 1922.
Newspaper Clipping taken from The Fairhope Courier, July 07, 1922.	Newspaper Clipping taken from the Onlooker, Sep. 07, 1922.
Newspaper Clipping taken from The Fairhope Courier, Sep. 08, 1922.	Newspaper Clipping taken from the Onlooker, Sep. 07, 1922.
Newspaper Clipping taken from the Onlooker, Oct. 19, 1922.	Newspaper Clipping taken from The Fairhope Courier, Oct. 27, 1922.
Newspaper Clipping taken from the Onlooker, Nov. 02, 1922.	Newspaper Clipping taken from The Fairhope Courier, Jan. 26, 1923.
Newspaper Clipping taken from the Onlooker, Jan. 01, 1923.	Newspaper Clipping taken from the Onlooker, Feb. 08, 1923.
Newspaper Clipping taken from the Onlooker, Apr. 05, 1923.	Newspaper Clipping taken from the Onlooker, June 21, 1923.
Newspaper Clipping taken from the Onlooker, June 28, 1923.	Newspaper Clipping taken from the Onlooker, July 05, 1923.
Newspaper Clipping taken from the Onlooker, July 12, 1923.	Newspaper Clipping taken from the Onlooker, Aug. 16, 1923.
Newspaper Clipping taken from the Onlooker, Sept. 13, 1923.	Newspaper Clipping taken from the Fairhope Courier, Sept. 28, 1923.
Newspaper Clipping taken from the Onlooker, Jan. 24, 1924.	Newspaper Clipping taken from the Onlooker, Feb. 14, 1924.
Newspaper Clipping taken from the Fairhope Courier, Mar. 21, 1924.	Newspaper Clipping taken from the Onlooker, Apr. 03, 1924.
Newspaper Clipping taken from the Onlooker, Apr. 17, 1924.	Newspaper Clipping taken from the Onlooker, May 08, 1924.
Newspaper Clipping taken from the Onlooker, May 22, 1924.	Newspaper Clipping taken from the Onlooker, May 22, 1924.
Newspaper Clipping taken from the Onlooker, May 22, 1924.	Newspaper Clipping taken from the Onlooker, May 29, 1924.
Newspaper Clipping taken from the Onlooker, July 24, 1924.	Newspaper Clipping taken from the Onlooker, Oct. 09, 1924.
Newspaper Clipping taken from the Fairhope Courier, Feb. 13, 1925.	Newspaper Clipping taken from the Fairhope Courier, Feb. 27, 1925.
Newspaper Clipping taken from the Onlooker, Apr. 16, 1925.	Newspaper Clipping taken from the Onlooker, June 04, 1925.
Newspaper Clipping taken from the Fairhope Courier, July 25, 1925.	Newspaper Clipping taken from the Onlooker, Aug. 13, 1925.
Newspaper Clipping taken from the Onlooker, Sept. 03, 1925.	Newspaper Clipping taken from the Fairhope Courier, Sept. 25, 1925. Click to read entire article.
Newspaper Clipping taken from the Onlooker, Oct. 01, 1925. Click to read entire article.	Newspaper Clipping taken from the Onlooker, Oct. 29, 1925.
Newspaper Clipping taken from the Fairhope Courier, Jan. 07, 1926.	Newspaper Clipping taken from the Onlooker, Jan. 21, 1926.
Newspaper Clipping taken from the Fairhope Courier, Jan. 28, 1926.	Newspaper Clipping taken from the Onlooker, Feb. 04, 1926. Click to read entire article.
Newspaper Clipping taken from the Onlooker, Apr. 08, 1926.	Newspaper Clipping taken from the Fairhope Courier, July 15, 1926.
Newspaper Clipping taken from the Fairhope Courier, Oct. 07, 1926.	Newspaper Clipping taken from the Onlooker, Oct. 21, 1926. Dispite its claim, the creamery was not the first in the state or even the county.
Newspaper Clipping taken from the Fairhope Courier, Dec. 02, 1926.	Newspaper Clipping taken from the Onlooker, Jan. 06, 1927.
Newspaper Clipping taken from the Fairhope Courier, Jan. 20, 1927.	Newspaper Clipping taken from the Fairhope Courier, Mar. 17, 1927.
Newspaper Clipping taken from the Fairhope Courier, May 26, 1927.	Newspaper Clipping taken from the Fairhope Courier, Aug. 04, 1927.
Newspaper Clipping taken from the Fairhope Courier, Nov. 13, 1927.	Newspaper Clipping taken from the Fairhope Courier, Jan. 19, 1928.
Newspaper Clipping taken from the Onlooker, Feb. 16, 1928. 1901 on the ad is incorrect.	Newspaper Clipping taken from the Onlooker, Aug. 02, 1928.
Newspaper Clipping taken from the Onlooker, Aug. 02, 1928.	Newspaper Clipping taken from the Onlooker, Aug. 23, 1928.
Newspaper Clipping taken from the Onlooker, Oct. 04, 1928.	Newspaper Clipping taken from the Onlooker, Oct. 11, 1928.
Newspaper Clipping taken from the Onlooker, Mar. 07, 1929.	Newspaper Clipping taken from the Onlooker, Nov. 1, 1929. Article expands longer.
Newspaper Clipping taken from the Onlooker, Apr. 10, 1930. Loxley article, refers to the town of Loxley.	Newspaper Clipping taken from the Onlooker, Apr. 11, 1929.
Newspaper Clipping taken from the Onlooker, May 01, 1930.	Newspaper Clipping taken from the Onlooker, June 05, 1930.
Newspaper Clipping taken from the Onlooker, Apr. 16, 1931.	Newspaper Clipping taken from the Onlooker, June 23, 1931.
Newspaper Clipping taken from the Onlooker, September 22, 1932.
Newspaper Clipping taken from the Onlooker, Aug. 31, 1933.	Newspaper Clipping taken from the Onlooker, Jan. 18, 1934.