I do love it when there are signs in the backgrounds of photographs.
Take a look to the left and see an advertising sign for Arden Ice Cream. Arden Dairies started operations in 1904, in El Monte California, now a suburb of Los Angeles. It soon became one of the largest milk producers in the state. In 1930, Arden merged with California Dairies, Inc., a subsidiary of Western Dairy Products of Seattle Washington.
I couldn't find any evidence that Arden is still in business, but I was able to find a reference to Arden from 1955 (Judging by the clothes, about the time this photo was taken.) They were being sued by Balian Dairies for lowering their ice cream prices below production costs, in Los Angeles County, so that it wouldn't be possible for other ice cream makers to survive. Unfortunately, I couldn't find an outcome.
Looks like a 1941 Chevy in the background. I love signs and cars in the old photos.
ReplyDeleteI have memories of Arden Dairy, but not sure why. Maybe when I lived in the San Diego area in the '50s. I have found several old shots with Hershey Ice Cream signs in the background.
ReplyDeleteI have a front of a cabnit door from Arden ice cream with the prices of ice cream soda was.20, ,dish ice cream .15 sundaes .30 root beer float.20 malted milk .30, and milkshake .25 it is cool to have part of history
DeleteI grew up in the Central Valley (Visalia), and we used to get Arden Ice Cream when I was little, around 1970. I liked the plastic tubs that it came in, and I especially liked the name!
ReplyDeleteMy dad worked for Arden Farms in the 60's in Spokane, e moved our family to Southern California in 1967 where he continued to work for Arden. They were the suppliers for ice cream to Farrell's ice cream parlor. Arden was bought out and my dad eventually worked for Knudsen and then Dreyers.
ReplyDeleteYour dad may have worked with or at least known my grandfather, Ernie Phillips. He worked there for years, until he was transferred to Moses Lake’s Arden plant in the mid-60’s.
DeleteCorrection: or at least have known
ReplyDeleteMy Dad worked there for 20+ years (Los Angeles, CA). Then he went to Jerseymaid.
ReplyDeleteJust saw an Arden dairy truck in the 1954 movie Highway Dragnet with Richard Conte.
DeleteI'm watching it now. Just saw the truck
DeleteA Arden Ice Cream truck was used in a movie called Highway Dragnet with Richard Conte
ReplyDeleteTanks four da tip off! Anyone make out the name on that ice cream truck behind the ladies? What’s the location on this image?
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