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Kay Mathews DeFrancesco, Rathdrum, is the winner

The Orofino Creamery is the answer for Week 256 of Orofino History Trivia a special feature to celebrate the history and heritage of Clearwater Country.

Join in the discovery!

Monday: The building is still there.

Tuesday: It has a different purpose.

Wednesday: Bricks were made here.

Thursday: Established in 1919

Friday: A tennis court stood where it is now.

Saturday: Had local suppliers

According to information from the Clearwater Historical Museum, Orofino Creamery opened Oct. 15, 1919 after construction had been delayed by the rock crusher being out of commission. They started making ice cream March 26, 1920. Among the backers were Fred Dieterle, John Oud and W.C. Richardson. A Bank of Orofino ad from the time period offers loans to those who would like to start dairy operations.

An article in the Clearwater Republican for Feb. 11, 1922 talks about a 22' x 24' ice storage room being added. J.W. Brierly was one of the owners in the early 1920s. In 1955, the creamer was sold to Mr. and Mrs. Engstrom.

Prior to being the creamery, there was a kiln where the bricks for the present Orofino Junior High School were make and it was also the site of the tennis courts of the Orofino Improvement Company.

In the mid 1960s the building was used by Orofino High School students for biology.

Watch for historical photos from Clearwater Historical Museum.

Trivia Archives

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Window on the Clearwater
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Orofino, ID 83544
Orofino 476 0733
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