6.2. HRSR 05-28-2002 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

was leased to the Twin City Milk Producers Association, another farmer's cooperative.26 In 1910 the Crescent Creamery of St.Paul also occupied a Main Street location. In 1921,the Twin City Milk Producer's Association built an Elk River facility.Designed by Clarence Wigington of St.Paul,it was located at the entrance to the city on the Jefferson '''''''', '. ,,,,, , ,:;-..... - r..., rr- ',.... ,,3!,,,,,.. . It a Fri II: . L "' . \ ate The Twin City Milk Producer's Association Creamery in ca. . ,o. ,.... 1925.Photo:MHS. III Highway and Main Street.27 The association felt that it was an ideal spot for a creamery,with about 350 members in the vicinity. The split-level,brick and tile building was innovative, with gravity systems rather than pumps to move milk and cream.The plant also processed cheese and powdered milk 2S The creamery closed about 1957,when milk was hauled directly to the Twin Cities for processing.The building was used for city hall and police offices and also housed a tavern.It was torn down in 1991. (Cargill Farm: 1958?2..5 miles s.e.in Section 13 ) Through the twentieth century,Elk River's agricultural land has gradually been transformed into residential and commercial use. Its proximity to the metropolitan highway system,particularly Interstate 94 and upgraded highways 10 and 101 have put it on the outer reaches of the twin cities bedroom communities. Cropland acreage—which fell from 116,259 in 1967 to 85,600 in 1982—continues to shrink,and the number of historic farmsteads and other agricultural properties has also been greatly reduced.29 Christmas trees and nursery plants have been important new additions to agricultural production. Preservation Planning Summary: Agriculture Inventoried Resources 410 Several farmsteads were inventoried in Elk River Township in previous windshield surveys. Within the Elk River,the few Elk River Historic Contexts Study Draft 5/2002 13