An aerial photograph of the Drouin Co-op Butter Factory in Lardner Rd in the 1950s.
This photograph of the production centre appeared in a Gazette feature in 1974 to celebrate the factory's 70th anniversary.
The formation of the Drouin Co-op in 1904 had a tremendous influence on the development of local towns and a more marked influence on the well-being of the surrounding farming community.
The factory allowed local farmers to take the processing of milk and distribution of their product out of the hands of the proprietary interests.
The original factory - still standing today and known as the Old Drouin Butter Factory - was built on the east side of Main South Rd. It served from 1904 to 1938.
The factory was powered by steam boilers fired by wood brought from outlying areas. It generated its own electricity and supplied power to the town as well.
Despite many extensions to the building, the increased intake of milk and cream required the company to purchase land in Lardner Rd for a new factory.
This new factory was planned on a wide road capable of taking tankers and trucks as well as boasting an avenue of trees.
Once operations began in 1939, it handled 20,000 gallons of milk per day and was the largest employer in the Drouin district.
The building still stands today and now houses organic food manufacturer Pureharvest.
Photograph and information courtesy of the Gazette and Drouin History Group.