CHEESE FACTORY LIST

Mt. Horeb Co-Operative Creamery and Cheese Factory 
 Ryser Cheese Factory

Mt. Horeb Village

105 S. 2nd. St., Mt. Horeb WI 53572

1890. Block 7

Miller Report on the Building History
(scroll down)

Off site resources
Road View and Map
Additional History

Operated: 1916 (at this location) - May 8, 1991

Cheesemakers: 1903-1955 Otto Olson buttermaker, 1916 Herbert E. Griffin buttermaker. 1940's Paul Ramshire cheesemaker, Les Kahl buttermaker. Ken  Schumacher, Norman Christianson (1980's), Bill Lehner to closing

Cheese Types: Swiss, American, Aromadelle, Pallatella, butter.  Cheese-Namely, Natural Cheese, Processed Cheese, Cheese Spread, Cold Pack Cheese Foods and Cheese Analogs (Cheese Substitutes)

Notes: Began in Old Town Feb. 1879 by Anton O. Bakken (see Mt. Horeb Creamery), later moved to 8th St. 1901 incorporated as Mt. Horeb Cooperative Creamery and Cheese Co, James Reilly Pres., Lewis Eggum Sec./Tres. 1910 Leever? Eggum, Tres. In 1916 moved to new brick building on S. 2nd St. In 1933 expanded into a new building to make round Swiss cheese which opened Mar. 15, 1934. Newspaper article states that  Albert J. Baker pres. and manager when sold at public auction to Adolph & Werner Ryser. [In History of Mt. Horeb Rysers bought factory in 1945].  1900- to at least 1902 Schmidt, mgr.

Wisconsin Historical Society, Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory- Architectural Style: Boomtown. Wall Material: Cream Brick. Bavarian look 1/2 timbered entry added in 1979. Brickwork details. Architectural Style: Neoclassical. 

In 1916, the Mount Horeb Creamery and Cheese Company constructed a brick building on the corner of South Second Street and Front Street on the former site of the Herman Dahie Ice House (now site of  Grumpy Troll Brewery). Most of the dairy farmers in the area were patrons and hauled milk to the creamery in horse drawn wagons. Over time, the company expanded, and a new building next door enabled the production of Swiss cheese. Over 30,000 pounds of milk were processed each day. In 1945, the building was sold to the Ryser Brothers Cheese Company who manufactured cheese in this location for over 40 years. When the business closed, the building sat vacant for several years.

"Rysers Bros. of Wisconsin" fascade on 2nd St. building. Wisconsin Historical Society Collection

103 2nd. St. - Wisconsin Historical Society Collection

1940. Paul Ramshire- cheesemaker, Les Kahl- buttermaker, C.A. Fink- office. Sign in the window -"Mt. Horeb Creamery & Cheese Co. , Manufacturing & Sales, Fancy Creamery Butter, Swiss Cheese, Ice Cream."

Mt. Horeb Co-Operative Creamery on 2nd st.

Wisconsin Historical Society Collection

1983- Norman Christianson

Interior view

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