Miller Creamery - Oakland

2941 Broadway ohcphoto.food.012
Oakland History Center, OPL

Miller Creamery was an ice cream and dairy business beginning in 1910, started by Felix Ellis (F.E.) Miller.

After a failed investment in the Maplewood Creamery Company in 1908 and a failed startup of the Orange Grove Ice Cream Company c.1910, F.E. Miller started the Miller Creamery Company at 565 - 6th Street.

After outgrowing that space, Miller Creamery moved to the former Orange Grove Ice Cream location 1724 Telegraph (116 Telegraph before renumbering). After outgrowing that larger space, they purchased 2941 Broadway and moved there in 1912. ¹

Milk Price Wars and the Ice Cream Fight

In 1916, Miller Creamery took out an ad accusing some of their competitors of having followed Miller's drivers and getting a list of their customers, then offering them milk at rates below production costs. ³

Then in 1917, they took out ads about the limited supply of "certified milk" and that the only certified producer wouldn't sell to them. They noted that Miller pasteurized its milk, which was at least as safe if not safer than the certified milk. One concern was the spread of bovine tuberculosis to humans; babies and children were particularly susceptible. Another ad accused competitors of spreading rumors that Miller was going to increase prices on March 1, 1917. The ad said that it was untrue, and if any increase in prices was required, they would give customers advanced notice.

A series of ads in 1921 under the title "The Ice Cream Fight" accused the Ice Cream Trust of conspiring to put Miller Creamery out of business, "no matter how much money it costs":

This culminated with an ad titled "A Heart-to-Heart Talk", encouraging people to come visit the plant themselves.

There was a particular battle between Miller and the Walnut Creamery, with lawsuits and counter-suits.

Reorganizations and Renamings

In 1922, the Miller Creamery Company was reorganized and the name changed to the Miller Ice Cream Company; F.E. Miller was still an executive. The board consisted of W.E. Keller (LA), A.A. Comey (LA), I.J. Trainer (Sacramento), Walter Martin (SF), L.W. Wilson (Fresno), C.W. Hightower (Visalia), and F.E. Miller.

In February 1924, the Miller Brothers Creamery Company was incorporated by W.M. Miller, E.H. Miller, and L. Miller. An ad in October 1924 says they purchased Miller Creamery on January 15, 1922, and that they had a new, modern plant at 26th and Chestnut. The 1925 directory lists the business at 2941 Broadway run by W. Marvin Miller and Eugene H. Miller.

In 1926, an ad for shares announced that Miller's, Inc. had acquired Miller Brothers Creamery Company. Nettie May became president and manager of Golden Gate Dairies and Nettie May Ice Cream Company. ³ A 1927 ad lists Miller's, Inc. at 2941 Broadway, and the successors to Miller Brothers. It also announced "Nettie May Service", 'a special, personal service for lodge luncheons, dinners, banquets, other lodge affairs and the "housewife." Let Nettie May advise you. Call her at OAKLAND 3307'. ² The 1930 directory lists the following at 2941 Broadway: Nettie May Ice Cream Company; Golden Gate Dairies, Inc; and Golden Gate Ice Cream and Fountain Supply Co.

1927 ad ²

A 1926 article about a bank merger lists Carl S. Plaut as the president of the Miller Ice Cream Company. At this point ads for the Miller Ice Cream Company only list the plant at 26th and Chestnut.

By 1947, Golden State Milk Products had acquired the Miller Ice Cream Company and the plant at 26th and Chestnut.