North Mankato in Nicollet County, Minnesota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Marigold Dairy
Photographed by Koen Schneidawind, June 5, 2026
1. Marigold Dairy Marker
Sanitary Dairy and Schaefer Lake Dairy began in the early 1920s with only farm sales and rudimentary delivery systems. The two merged in 1926 to create Purity Dairy in a plant that they located at 110 Nicollet Avenue, but then in 1936 co-founder Merrill Claridge left to form Marigold Dairies. Marigold then constructed a large new plant on Belgrade near the bridge, a $25,000 one-story simplified deco-style building constructed by Neitge Construction.
Marigold proceeded to dominate the local market, producing milk, ice cream and sherbets, cottage cheese, and frozen strawberries with an initial staff of 25 (including delivery drivers). Between 1940-1965, Marigold was one of the largest employers in North Mankato, with 80 people on the payroll, and was one of the top-rated independent dairy companies in the nation.
Marigold merged with Quality Check/Kemps in the mid-1960s. Following the merger, the Belgrade Avenue plant underwent a $200,000 expansion in 1970, adding a large milk cooling room and loading area. It was then sold in 1981 and torn down in the 1990s.
Erected by North Mankato History.
Topics. This
this page online
Location. 44° 10.203′ N, 94° 0.997′ W. Marker is in North Mankato, Minnesota, in Nicollet County. It is on Belgrade Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 200 Belgrade Avenue, Mankato MN 56003, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Southwest Minnesota and specifically in the Minnesota River Valley. It is also in the American Midwest and in the Corn Belt. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once Ruperts Land, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, and the Louisiana Purchase.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Early North Mankato Government (approx. 0.2 miles away); Tanley Field (approx. 0.4 miles away); Ho-Chunk / Winnebago (approx. 0.4 miles away); Minnesota River Steamboating (approx. 0.7 miles away); Reconciliation and Remembrance (approx. 0.7 miles away); Reconciliation Park (approx. 0.7 miles away); Navigating the River (approx. 0.7 miles away); Early Settlers (approx. 0.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in North Mankato.
Credits. This page was last revised on July 1, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 6, 2026, by Koen Schneidawind of Mankato, Minnesota. This page has been viewed 14 times since then. Photo 1. submitted on June 6, 2026, by Koen Schneidawind of Mankato, Minnesota. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
