During the earlier part of the 19 century, Massachusetts was a hub of dairy farming activity. With countless farms, and dairies dotting the rural landscape.
As a result, many iconic and unusual buildings popped up across the state, representing the area’s strong dairy roots.
Massachusetts Milk Bottle Buildings
Many of these buildings were creatively crafted using, our favourite shape, the milk bottle!
These milk bottle buildings are still in use today.
So, if you are a milk bottle fanatic, a road trip through Massachusetts is in order.
Salvador’s Ice Cream – The Milk Can
460 Smith Neck Road, South Dartmouth, MA 02748
This milk can building is located in the quaint town of South Dartmouth, a popular destination of summer residents, and vacationers.
In 1935, 30 foot tall structure was moved from a Bedford, Massachusetts amusement park, to become the latest addition to the Salvador family’s dairy farm, and milk business.
For years, the family sold their homemade ice cream from “The Can” during the warmer months when the area was flooded with summer home residents.
The building remained in possession of the Salvador family until 2005, when Len and Beth Gauvin took over the business.
The couple had their work cut out for them restoring the can to its original glory. A new foundation needed to be poured, and the entire can went through serious renovations.
The Gauvin’s then gave the can their own personal touch by adding cherry striped awnings, and a life sized cow atop the building.
Salvador’s Ice Cream is now open seasonally from Memorial Day to Labor Day, and has expanded into regional treats including lobster rolls and stuffed quahogs. However, it’s their traditional homemade ice cream that keeps the vacationers returning year after year.
After all, ice cream is more fun when served from a milk can.
The Bucket at Gulf Hill
77 Gulf Road, South Dartmouth, MA 02748
Just two miles north of Salvador’s Ice Cream lies another roadside icon.
This time it is a 20 foot tall ice cream bucket overlooking the water at Apponagansett Park.
Built in 1929, as an ice cream stand for Gulf Hill Dairy it was originally complete with a hand crank, giving the impression of an ice cream maker. The building was included on a property that also featured a restaurant, dairy barn, and farm.
Local’s loved visiting “The Bucket” after a long day of playing in the sun, so they were devastated when the property was sold, and turned into a private residence.
Due to huge public support, the bucket was relocated to Apponagansett Park in 2003 and extensive repairs took place.
In 2008, the bucket was reopened to sell ice cream, hamburgers, and hot dogs, with their season running from Memorial Day to Columbus Day.
With picnic tables overlooking the bay, and free concerts being held regularly in Apponagansett Park, there could not be a better location for The Bucket.
Frates Dairy Milk Bottle Buildings
The Frates Dairy Company was based in New Bedford, MA and is know for constructing three buildings shaped like milk bottles.
Today, two of these milk bottle buildings have survived.
G & S Pizza
2840 Acushnet Avenue, New Bedford, MA 02745
You wouldn’t expect a milk bottle to be bursting out of a pizza shop, but that’s exactly what you’ll see at G & S Pizza in New Bedford Massachusetts.
Built and operated by Frates Dairy, the structure was originally a ice cream parlour, and later a restaurant.
The 52 foot milk bottle was constructed by steaming wood, and shaping it into the bottle shape. The building was then topped off by adding a red bottle cap.
The location was a Frates Restaurant until 2003, at which time the building changed hands frequently until being sold to G & S Pizza in 2005.
Today G & S Pizza, honors the building’s roots by selling delicious Bliss Dairy Ice Cream during the summer months.
The Milk Bottle
785 Broadway, Raynham, MA 02767
In Raynham, Massachusetts stands the second Frates milk bottle building.
Built in 1926, the building stands 50 feet tall, and is clearly an eye-catching landmark.
Today, the building is home to a restaurant, appropriately named, The Milk Bottle.
The restaurant is only open for breakfast, and lunch, but they do continue to serve ice cream from the canopied windows during the warmer months.
Hood Milk Bottle
308 Congress St, Boston, MA 02210
Standing over 40 feet tall this giant milk bottle sits next to the Boston Children’s Museum, just across the Four Point Channel.
Built in 1930, Arthur Gagner built the milk bottle next to his store to sell his homemade ice cream.
By 1943, the milk bottle was sold, and eventually abandoned, and left to fall into disrepair.
In 1977, H.P. Hood and Sons Inc. came to the rescue, bought the milk bottle, and donated it to the Boston Children’s Museum.
The bottle has now called the Boston Children’s Museum home for the past 30 years, and is a popular ice cream, and snack bar. With the occasional movie projected onto the sides of the milk bottle, for some fun family entertainment.
Farm Fresh Milk in Massachusetts
After exploring these milk themed buildings, you’re going to be thirsty for some Massachusetts glass bottle milk.
Crescent Ridge Dairy in Sharon, MA and Shaw Farm Dairy in Dracut, MA will deliver farm fresh milk in a glass bottle, right to your doorstep.
The experience will take you right back to the heyday of these milk bottle buildings.