Rhoda - an unusual name for a cow! How about Bessie? Or Elsie?
Here is a picture of my Great Grandpa Rindge's family.
My grandpa, Frederick, is the little guy on the right!
My grandfather had a sister, Rhoda, she's the young girl in this family photo.
Naming my cow after her is a tribute to her dairy farm!
Naming my cow after her is a tribute to her dairy farm!
When my great aunt, Rhoda May Rindge, grew up she met this handsome guy -
Merritt Huntley Adamson Sr., a farmer, fell in love, and got married.
In 1916, Merritt and Rhoda founded a state-of-the-art dairy in Tarzana.
They named it
Adohr Farms; Adohr was Rhoda spelled backward!
Their dairy had Holsteins, and these cows, Guernseys.
In fact, LOTS of Guernseys!
The Adohr Stock Farms eventually became the Largest Guernsey Herd in the World!
This monument still stands in tribute to their achievement, on the grounds at Morningstar Farms in Tulare and is the only remaining sculpture of its kind in the United States.
The Adohr Milkmaid and Cow was a series of statues
commissioned to advertise Adohr Farms Creameries.
The Adohr Milkmaid and Cow was a series of statues
commissioned to advertise Adohr Farms Creameries.
Aunt Rhoda was a strong woman, running the dairy even after her husband's death.
I was lucky enough to find this Adohr Milk Bottle on one of my treasure hunts long ago.
Nostalgia! The milk man delivery to our door is a fond memory growing up!
My search continues to find more Adohr Farms milk bottles in different sizes ...
At the last Sacramento Antique Fair,
a milk crate, just like you see in this picture, was my latest find!
These vintage crates with metal edges are getting harder to find
and this one even had the Adohr name on it!
I will cherish this treasure - the "Adohr" is a bit worn but still easy to make out!
And my bottle fits inside just right!
This bronze name plate was uncovered at a Loomis Antique store about seven months ago. Even though the clock is new, the rest is vintage - I would love to know what this piece was used for! Perhaps it sat on my great Aunt Rhoda's desk years ago!
With my latest crate find, my Adohr Farms trifecta is complete!
Looking at it, I think of the long days my ancestors must have spent
making their dairy so successful. Dairy farming, like all farming, is hard work and long hours. Sometimes we take for granted how easy it is to get our food supply. With harvest starting soon, we need to take the time to thank all our farmers for their hard work, as they continue to produce the best and safest food supply in the world!
