Near Wilmington in New Castle County, Delaware — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
The Blue Ball Milk House
Processing Milk with New, Sanitary Methods
Photographed By McGhiever, June 19, 2016
1. The Blue Ball Milk House marker
Built in 1914 to process milk for Alfred I. duPont's Nemours Estate, this small building was a fine match for the expensive barn nearby. In addition to an office, it had a coal stove, sink for washing bottles and equipment, and an ice box room. Terrazzo tile floors and glass tile walls provided smooth and clean surfaces.
By 1900, railroads were carrying milk from local dairy farms to distant markets. New government health standards made milk safer to drink. Milk houses, small buildings away from the cows and unsanitary barns, kept the milk fresh and chilled before it was picked up for shipment.
[Captions:]
A bottle-washing sink from another Delaware farm.
In 1946, tenant farm families were still using the old Blue Ball Milk House to prepare their milk for delivery. Sandy Phillips plays on the lawn.
Erected by Delaware State Parks.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Delaware State Parks series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1914.
Location. 39° 46.582′ N, 75° 32.695′ W. Marker is near Wilmington, Delaware, in New Castle County. Touch for map.
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Blue Ball Barn (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Jewish Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.3 miles away); Gunning Bedford, Jr. (approx. 0.4 miles away); Lombardy Hall (approx. 0.4 miles away); Wilmington Friends School (approx. 0.6 miles away); The "Pink" Murphy House (approx. 0.7 miles away); duPont Carillon Tower (approx. ¾ mile away); Delaware Chemical Engineering Company (approx. 0.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Wilmington.
More about this marker. Located in Alapocas Run State Park, at the Blue Ball Barn visitor center and folk art museum. The marker is on the north side of the milk house, which is just east of the barn and a short walk southeast from the parking lot.
Also see . . . Property history and facility details (pdf). (Submitted on November 12, 2021.)
Photographed By McGhiever, June 19, 2016
2. Blue Ball Milk House and marker, viewed from the north
Credits. This page was last revised on November 24, 2021. It was originally submitted on November 7, 2021, by McGhiever of Minneapolis, Minnesota. This page has been viewed 224 times since then and 28 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 7, 2021, by McGhiever of Minneapolis, Minnesota. • Mark Hilton was the editor who published this page.
