In 1918, George S. Bell established a retail dairy, from the remnants of the Elmendorf Dairy, at 113 Church Street. Around 1923, he relocated to 125-29 Church Street. He advertised his “Milk Depot – Milk, Cream and Butter.” In 1927, his operation was incorporated into the Dixie-Bell Dairy.[i]
In 1927, Thomas C. Geary (President) and George S. Bell (Secretary/General Manager) established the Dixie Bell Dairy at 244 Jefferson Street (the old Producer’s Dairy). In 1927, the company relocated to a larger facility at 315 North Limestone. In 1930, Floyd H. Wright and V. R. Evans became Vice President and Manager, respectively.
Ad – 1930
Ad – 1931
During February 1950, George S. Bell the company’s General Manager died.[ii] Henry D. Gentry was named his successor as Secretary/Treasurer and General Manager.[iii] The company began retail sales of milk in Pure-Pak Cartons (wax and cardboard cartons).[iv] The company began supplying the Lexington Public Schools with half-pint cartons for school lunches. In April 1950, the company opened a retail ice cream store.[v]
During November 1950, the Dixie Bell Dairy expanded delivery around Central and Eastern Kentucky, including Nicholasville, Richmond, Beattyville, Manchester.[vi]
Ad - 1959
During the 1950s, the company consolidated with the Mohney Dairy, owned by S. Phil Mohney, Jr. Mohney became the firm’s Secretary/Treasurer and General Manager. Thomas C. Geary died in October 1961, he was President of the dairy and Geary-Wright Tobacco Warehouse Company.[vii]
Annually the company distributed rulers to the city school
In 1969, the company was sold to Frank W. Kinskey and BFL, Inc., of Portsmouth, Ohio. BFL was a regional dairy. The company began to experience financial problems. On January 11, 1973, the Dixie Bell Dairy Company filed for reorganization of its debts, with assets of $775,817 and liabilities of $760,714.[viii] The corporation directors were Frank W. Kinskey (President and Treasurer), A. J. Lingrosso (Vice President) and John W. Berndt (Secretary). On January 23, the dairy settled several suits involved from the sale of the company.[ix]
During 1973, the dairy finally closed. The dairy plant was demolished several years ago and today is the location of the John R. Hall Field at Transylvania University.[x]
[i] Lexington City Directory 1919, 1923, 1925, 1927 and 1928.
[ii] Lexington Herald, January 22, 1950, page 1, column 7 and Lexington Leader, February 1, 1950, page 32, column 5.
[iii] Lexington Herald, January 28, 1950, page 10, column 8.
[iv] Lexington Leader, February 25, 1950, page 3, column 5-6.
[v] Lexington Leader, April 29, 1950, page 3, column 2-3 and Lexington Leader, July 1, 1950, page 3, column 2-3.
[vi] Lexington Leader, November 18, 1950, page 3, column 5-6.
[vii] Lexington Herald, October 11, 1961, page 1, column 8.
[viii] Lexington Leader, January 11, 1973, page 59, column 5.
[ix]Lexington Leader, January 23, 1973, page 13, column 3.
[x] Lexington City Directory 1927, 1928, 1930, 1931-32, 1933-34, 1935, 1937, 1939, 1940-41, 1942, 1943-44, 1945, 1947, 1948-49, 1950, 1952, 1953, 1955, 1959, 1960, 1962, 1965, 1967 and 1970.
