DUN DAS DAIRYMAN’S ASSOCIATION

Sometime in the mid 1880’s an organization called the Dundas Dairyman’s Association was formed for the purpose of erecting a cheese factory. Shares were sold in the company and the building was erected at the east end of the

Bridgetown Bridge almost along the banks of the Boughton River. William E. Leard, who was at the time manager of Matthew and MacLeans Ltd., in Bridge- town, was Secretary—Treasurer of this organization in 1887.

The upper story of this cheese factory was used for various functions such as plays, concerts, basket socials, meetings, and school fairs. In the 1940’s the practice of holding those events above the cheese factory was halted due to concern that the dust from the upper storey was falling down to the lower area and contaminating the cheese.

This factory collected milk from many of the surrounding areas including Forest Hill, Primrose, Upton, Cumberland Hill and Strathcona, as well as Bridge- town and Dundas.

The job of milkhauler was tendered out and many people recall hauling milk to the factory. One man told us about a humourous incident when he recalled watching one farmer strain milk through an old pair of drawers. This however, was not the-custom at most farms and definitely did not affect the quality of the cheese, since the factory was known for its superior product.

Some of the cheese makers at the Dundas plant were Oscar and Harry Collings, Henry MacCormack, Charlie Lutz, and the last one, Maurice Burhoe. Henry MacCormack won prizes as the best cheesemaker at exhibitions as far away as Toronto. Charlie Lutz made cheese at both Dundas and Red House. He travelled back and forth with a two-wheel jogging cart and a little horse.

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