I wonder how many consumers order groceries through an App and either have them delivered or drove to pick them up. I haven’t seen any statistics but I know a lot of busy people do this. It’s become very common. Before the 21st Century though, markets had some limited home delivery but the milkman was a staple.
The milkman emerged in the 1700s and continued into the mid-1900s as advancements in technology made it impossible for that system to continue. With the advent of cars families didn’t need to have groceries and milk brought to them.
The first milk was delivered to homes in horse-drawn wagons with the milk in large metal barrels. The milkman would ladle fresh milk into bottles, jugs, or whatever container was left outside. But, this wasn’t very sanitary. The milk was often contaminated by insects or debris that fell into it. Slowly things changed and glass containers were a definite improvement.
The milkman really came into his own in the 19th Century. He’d drive up to a home in his horse-drawn wagon and deliver milk in glass bottles and either leave the milk on the doorstep or hand directly to the house’s occupant. Then ice boxes became a thing. Often it was arranged for the milkman to let himself into the home and place the milk into an “ice box.” Those were made of wood and lined with zinc or tin with large blocks of ice place in a compartment at the bottom. Can you imagine a delivery man coming into your home when you weren’t there? That would make me feel weird yet it was common place.
You’ve all probably heard people say that one child or another was the product of a milkman. I do wonder about the statistics on that. My grandmother always accused my mom of having “relations” with the milkman because she never believed my father could bear children. You see, my dad contracted rheumatic fever as a child and doctors had told her he was impotent. Surprise, surprise. He and Mama had five. And no milkman.
Anyway, all that led up to modern refrigeration and the milkman died out. But delivery service didn’t. Grocery deliveries are common place as well as pickup.
I just wanted to give you a little history on that. I’ve wanted to write a book featuring a milkman. I can think of all kinds of funny situations. Maybe another time.
Are you old enough to remember a milkman? If not, I’m guessing you heard your family talk about that.
Right now, I have LOVE’S FIRST LIGHT coming out July 1st. It’s a story of a woman who’s lost everything including her home and is forced to rely on a stranger for survival. Slowly she begins to set her world upright again. It’s a long way up from the bottom and impossible without faith.
If you like an ARC in exchange for a review, CLICK HERE. But only if you plan to review. Otherwise, the book releases July 1st. I’ll have several to give away next month on my blog.
Here’s the blurb:
After suffering a devastating accident, Rachel Malloy wakens with a stranger. He bears no resemblance to her perception of God, nor does he have a halo so she must not be dead. Regardless, after taking her entire family and leaving her, she and God are not exactly on speaking terms.
Rancher Heath Lassiter has prayed fervently and long for a wife. Is she the one? The appearance of a rare white dove shortly afterward seems to be a sign.
Despite Heath’s unwavering faith and kindness, Rachel refuses to marry him. Dark secrets haunt, secrets that blacken her name, making marriage to anyone impossible. Though disappointed, Heath rebuilds her burned-out home. There, her world again shifts with the discovery of a newborn near her family’s graves and a white dove perching nearby.
Love grows as Heath becomes a constant in her life. Yet Rachel lives in fear of losing this baby. When the infant becomes very ill, she desperately promises God she’ll return to her forsaken faith if He’ll heal the child. But first light brings uncertainty. Will the dove return as a symbol of divine mercy, or will Rachel’s fragile faith be shattered once more?
Here in the Texas Panhandle, we do love our cowboys. There's just something about a man in a Stetson and jeans that makes my heart beat faster. I'm not much of a cook but I love to do genealogy and I'm a bit of a rock hound. I'm also a NY Times & USA Today bestselling author of historical western romance. You can contact me through my website and I'd love to connect with you on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and more. HAPPY READING!
https://petticoatsandpistols.com/sweepstakesrules/
I’m old enough to remember neighbors getting milk delivered, and the metal milk boxes on the side or front porch. Stopped around the time I was 5 or so.
Denise, that’s about when my memory of milkmen stopped. I remember the Watkins salesman coming to our house more than the milkman. My mom bought a lot of Watkins flavorings and spices from traveling salesmen. It’s good to see you this morning.
Strange as it is, it still happens in my rural area! A local dairy farm has a delivery service. My sister sets out a cooler with ice on milk day, but I have coworkers that leave a key for the milkman to go in and put the milk in their fridge. While I’m sure there was a gap between now and the early 1900s, I know it’s been in operation for at least the last 25 years. ?
Kerri, that is strange to still have a milkman coming to houses. Wow! With so much crime, I sure wouldn’t leave him a key! But it is rather nice to have it brought to your home. 🙂 I’ve gotten out late at night to go get milk for the kids and me. I’m so glad you stopped by.
growing up on a farm out in the country everyone had their own milk cow, so no milk man came – also my Uncle had a dairy very close by!
Teresa F, you were lucky! I was a city girl and always have been. Nice to have an uncle’s dairy close to you! I wouldn’t know how fresh milk tastes since I’ve only had pasteurized. Thank you so much for coming to share.
I grew up in a rural location that wouldn’t have had milk delivery, although I don’t remember my town relatives getting it either, so maybe it was before my time. We always had milk cows for our milk.
Janice, I’m so happy you came by. I think the practice depended on what part of the country you live in and maybe the larger cities never had it. You were lucky to have your own cows. Have a beautiful day and stay cool.
I recall the square silver milk box outside the door, probably Grandma’s, when she lived intown. However, I do not remember the delivery man at all. Her milk was put inside it until she came to get it out. It had thin layer of insulation in it to keep the milk cold. The lid was hinged. Maybe a fairy delivered it. Tee hee!!!
Good morning Judy! Ha! Yes, a fairy milkman! That’s what it was and the milk magically appeared. 🙂 Those tin metal boxes were a godsend I think and kept the milk from spoiling until the resident made it home. Advanced technology! Thanks for stopping by. Stay cool today.
We lived with my grandparents and grandpa milked his cows, put it in a milk can and would set it in a large tank of cold water. The milkman would come and pick it up. When the laws changed with the milk having to be refrigerated my grandfather quit selling the milk. When I ask him why he quit selling the milk, he told me it would cost too money to put in refrigeration. So I do not remember milkman deliveries , although I heard a lot of jokes about a baby being the milk man’s.
Karijean, my grandma really believed the milkman fathered us kids. It’s really too funny and sad. Yes, the government had to step in and ruin a system that had been in place for decades. 🙂 I’m glad we didn’t have to live with Grandma because she was a sourpuss and scowled at us when we made our yearly visit. And she picked her nose with a long fingernail. I still remember her sitting there doing that. Thank you for coming. I love our discussions.
I’m not quite old enough but my parents were and we actually have a couple of the big metal milk jugs too.
Joannie, how interesting to have the big metal milk jugs. Those are collector’s items now. Stay cool today. It’s gonna be hot.
I remember the mailman. We would put the old bottle out with a little set of cards. The customer would fan out what was needed. One time I put all of them up because it made a a pretty pattern of colors in a lollipop shape. The milk man rang the bell because he suspected we really did not want one of everything.
David, how interesting. I’ve never seen those cards but I knew they had a system along with the ice delivery man. The resident would put something in the window that indicated how many pounds of ice to leave. Those would come into the house for sure to leave the ice in the ice box. Have a good day and stay cool.
I found an example of the ordering cards at: https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.quora.com%2FHow-did-households-arrange-for-the-milkman-to-deliver-their-milk-before-the-internet&psig=AOvVaw1xelY5Sk2n9SwLGZaj9nNl&ust=1718827614371000&source=images&cd=vfe&opi=89978449&ved=2ahUKEwiwu6z8-eWGAxXtKt4AHdZmCdsQjRx6BAgAEBY
I also remember a lot of houses used to have a little middle door where the milk man would place the bottle and it opened on the inside with another little door to remove the mild without ever going outside.
David, thanks for the link. That’s the first time I’ve seen those. Wow!
I remember the milk man. I have the metal box and have collected a few milk bottles over the years too.
How about the Fuller Brush man? I remember him too and there’s another story…
I definitely don’t remember milk being delivered, and Mom and Daddy never mentioned it, probably because they both grew up on farms and milked their own cow! lol!! One of my uncle’s worked for Mayfield for many years delivering milk and ice cream to stores. He also milked his own cows, though! I did snag a copy of your ARC, and will be leaving reviews!!
Trudy, bless you for taking an ARC. I hope you enjoy the story. Interesting about your uncle delivering milk and ice cream. And milking his own cows. We never had a cow when I was growing up. All our milk came from the store. Thank you so much for coming. It’s always a joy. Stay cool.
Hey Linda! Cute story about the milkman! I’ve heard that phrase a few times! No, I’m not old enough and we did live in the country. Had cows and hogs. But, didn’t milk them. However, I remember the bottles of soda that was delivered! It was those flavored Nehi drinks. While my brothers fought over the orange, I had my grape! Does anyone remember RC cola!? There used to be a bottle company in my hometown, Live Oak. And that was why the “Drinkman” came to give us our drinks and pick up our empty bottles! This would of been in the ‘60’s and early’70s.
Your book sounds great Linda! Many blessings!
Tracy, great to see you. Thanks for liking my blurb about First Light. Now, that’s interesting having a drinkman! Oh my goodness. I think that was definitely regional. They didn’t have them in our town. We couldn’t have bought any anyway as poor as we were. We rarely drank sodas so it was a treat when we got one. But yes I remember RC Cola and Nehi. I remember us kids collecting empty bottles and taking them to the store. With the few cents we got, we bought candy. I hope you have a lovely and blessed day.
I do not remember the milk man but my grandmother had a container on her porch that was for the milk. It was insulated but not used any more.
Thanks for coming, Debby. I don’t think you were old enough. I’m ancient and feel like it most days. Have a blessed day and stay cool.
Yes, I remember the milk man. We had a metal box on our front porch with a picture of Elsie the cow. The milk man delivered milk, butter, and sometimes cottage cheese. I don’t remember when it stopped, probably before I became a teenager.
Elaine, thanks for coming and for your comment. I hate that the milkman just disappeared.
I can’t remember us having a milk man but we did live out in the country so maybe they didn’t deliver there. I always heard about the milk man though.
Quilt Lady, I think everyone has heard that joke about being fathered by the milkman. I wonder if did a lot of seducing the housewife during his deliveries? Too funny. Thank you for coming to read my post.
I grew up on our family farm and we had our own milk cows. My dad and grandpa would pasteurize the milk and would separate the cream from the milk. My mom made cottage cheese and homemade butter.
Barbara, your family farm sounds like wholesome living. I envy that. I only knew about city ways but I’m sure I missed out. Thanks for coming.
In the late 1950’s my brother had a paper route and one time broke a bottle of milk that was on the porch. He threw them from his bike while riding down the street, he always did have a good arm. 🙂 After he finished his route he went back to clean it up, apologize and pay the people. They were surprised that a young boy would do that and contacted the local newspaper and there’s an article out there somewhere that says ‘Kids today aren’t all bad’ haha…
Rachel, what a good story. Your brother was very conscientious. 🙂 Thanks for sharing that. Have a wonderful rest of your week.
Growing up the dairy was across the road from our property, we raised beef cattle, so no need to milk cows. Mom would load my wagon with empty bottles and off I go with her list of products to bring home – milk, cream and even ice cream – the dairy made their own and it was the BEST!!! Great memories of days that we’ll never see again. Hats off the all the hard-working dairy farmers, past and present. I’ve always been glad we raised beef, I still do.
Carol, you have some great memories. Thanks for sharing a few. Raising beeves sounds very rewarding. Have a great week.
When I was young, my family had a box on the porch for our milk delivery… not sure when it ended… but I do remember it being there.
Amazing, Colleen. Thanks for coming over and sharing. We’ve all been digging in memories I think. Love you, lady.
Growing up on a dairy farm our milkman took the milk away to the dairy plant in town. We had milk cans that were kept cool in refrigerated water until the milkman came. The cooler looked like a chest freezer only bigger with enough water that the tops of the cans were above the water level. When I was a teenager we switched to a bulk tank where the milk was stored and refrigerated until the milkman came in a refrigerated tank truck that had a long hose that sucked the milk from our tank into the truck’s tank. My dad was always proud that our farm’s raw milk had a lower bacteria count than pasteurized milk. Friends in town did have home delivery with the metal boxes where empty bottles were exchanged for full ones.
My uncles and cousins were egg producers and they delivered eggs to homes as well as restaurants and stores. My cousins still do. There are also some local dairies in that area who began doing home delivery again in the 1990’s.
Alice, thank you for sharing my memories. Living on a dairy farm sounds rewarding even if it was a lot of hard work. I’ve never heard of anyone delivering eggs. Interesting.
Our milkman’s name was Bud Schmidt. He would just walk right in the house, call out a greeting, and deliver the milk. Those were the days!
Oh my goodness, Kathy! Wow. And that you remember it! Thanks for sharing Bud with us! He sounds very friendly.
My older sister was a redhead, as was our neighbor’s youngest daughter, who was a year younger than my sister. My dad and her dad used to joke that they must have a redheaded milkman! No one else in either family had red hair.
Hi KimberlyGail! Yep, any unusual kids got the milkman joke. Too funny. It used to make my mom mad though.
I don’t remember every having milk delivered at home, but I do remember that in 1970 we went to visit a friend’s family in Mexico City. Not too far a walk from their home was a dairy.
The family brought whatever container they had and the dairyman would give them a measured amount.
They’d then take it home to boil it before using it. the kids used to fight over the “skin” that formed on the milk, but because we were guests, the mom offered it to us each morning. Eeew. I actually don’t remember if my brother and sister liked it, but I did not.
In 1974, we stayed with cousins in another part of Mexico and they had regular milk delivery.
I’m old enough to remember the milkman and back then it was a great thing to look forward to and our milkman was usually friendly and personable, loved seeing the milkman
Hi Linda, Yes, I remember we had a milkman & loved waiting for him to come. My husband’s brother was a milkman. My husband would go with him on his route many times & to the women’s prison, where he delivered milk also. His brother was happy that he came with him to the prison, he said, some of them looked like they would cut your throat with the knife they were peeling potatoes with. I prefer, to remember the happy times with our milk deliveries. Enjoy reading all your books. Have a blessed summer!!!!
I well remember the milkman and still had the insulated box for years. When we moved to the cocuntry, we got our milk from a friend who lived down the road and had 3 or 4 cows. As far as I know it was raw milk. The cream on top was usually at least 3 inches thick. We do have one of the old oak ice boxes. It holds a place of honor in our kitchen, obviously not used for refrigeration any more. My husband’s uncle had a dairy in Methuen, MA. He and his sons bottled milk well into the late 1970’s and did home deliveries. They then switched to cartons and delivered to some homes, but mainly to schools, etc. I have several of the old wooden crates and milk bottles from their earlier bottling days. They delivered until the mid to late 1990’s or so until the youngest son died unexpectedly on one of the delivery routes.
Best wishes for the release of LOVE’S FIRST LIGHT.
My grandparents told me stories about the coming. They also had a milk box on the front porch.
We did, indeed, have a milkman. He owned a small dairy not too far out of town and his son was a year or two behind me in school. We always got 2-3 bottles of milk, but I don’t remember how many times a week. After my ex-husband got out of the service, we moved back to the home farm where we eventually had our own dairy cows, but our milk all went for cheese.
The local dairy, Hoovers just outside of Niagara Falls NY still has daily milk delivery. I remember them coming to my parents home into the 1980’s