Chester in Orange County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Wm. A. Lawrence

Photographed By Clifton Patrick, December 25, 2021

1. Wm. A. Lawrence Marker

Inscription. Home of First Village
President and Civic Leader.
Manufactured Neufchatel
& Cream Cheese ca. 1876-1925
In Former Factory Here.

Erected 2021 by William G. Pomeroy Foundation. (Marker Number 651.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the William G. Pomeroy Foundation series list.

Location. 41° 21.546′ N, 74° 17.117′ W. Marker is in Chester, New York, in Orange County. Marker is on Brookside Avenue (New York State Route 17M) north of West Avenue, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 99 Brookside Ave, Chester NY 10918, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. First Post Office in Chester (approx. 0.2 miles away); Denton Grist Mill (approx. 0.2 miles away); First Presbyterian Church (approx. 0.4 miles away); Artillery Encampment 1779 (approx. 0.4 miles away); Yelverton Inn (approx. 0.4 miles away); Revolutionary Militia of Orange and Ulster (approx. 0.4 miles away); Chester Militia (approx. 0.4 miles away); Korean and Viet Nam Wars Monument (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chester.

Regarding Wm. A. Lawrence.

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While varieties of soft and cream cheeses were regularly produced in Europe, William A. Lawrence began to mass produce what would become known as Philadelphia Cream Cheese in Chester, NY. Lawrence was the first to mold the cheese into rectangles, wrap them individually and ship them to markets in New York City. In the beginning his creamery produced about 2 boxes daily. Production increased to such a degree that at the time of his death in 1911, the factory was producing over two thousand boxes each day.

Lawrence and his cheese making operation had a major impact on the economy in and around the creamery in Chester. He employed many area residents and used locally sourced milk in his cheese production. He cared deeply for the Goshen area and was instrumental in organizing the Village of Chester and its fire department and water system. Lawrence was also connected to the construction and rehabilitation of many roads in Orange County.

Kraft purchased the business in 1928 and continues to make Philadelphia Brand Cheese.

Also see . . .
1. Philadelphia Cream Cheese (Wikipedia). (Submitted on December 25, 2021, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.)
2. William A. Lawrence Historic Marker Dedication. A series of five videos of the William A. Lawrence Historic Marker Dedication 21 May, 2022.

A series of five
Photographed By Clifton Patrick, December 25, 2021

2. Wm. A. Lawrence Marker
Marker with W.A. Lawrence's former residence. The Lawrence cheese factory once stood just to the left of the marker.
videos of the William A. Lawrence Historic Marker Dedication 21 May, 2022.

(Submitted on June 7, 2022, by Clifton Patrick of Chester, NY, United States.)

W. A. Lawrence & Son Neufchalet and Cream Cheese Factory image. Click for full size.

circa 1895

3. W. A. Lawrence & Son Neufchalet and Cream Cheese Factory

Print from "Portrait and Biographical Record of Orange County" published 1895.

William A. Lawrence, President Village of Chester 1893 image. Click for full size.

1895

4. William A. Lawrence, President Village of Chester 1893

Clipped from the Portrait and Biographical Record of Orange County, 1895.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 8, 2022. It was originally submitted on December 25, 2021, by Clifton Patrick of Chester, NY, United States. This page has been viewed 537 times since then and 30 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on December 25, 2021, by Clifton Patrick of Chester, NY, United States. • Michael Herrick was the editor who published this page.