The Legacy of Melchior and Peter Blaettler
Local history with Mike Monroe: Dairy Cows in Gilroy?
by Mike Monroe
It ' s true! Gilroy in the late 1800 ' s became one of California ' s principal cheese making regions. In 1895, in association with the San Jose Mercury, Charles M. Shortridge published a " historical and descriptive " book entitled " Santa Clara County and its Resources." The book was reissued in 1976 with the title of " Sunshine, Fruit and Flowers."
Shortridge describes the " succulent grasses which flourished along the creeks and in lowlands near the confluence of the major watersheds in the center of the valley." The first dairies were developed south of the emerging community of Gilroy. Oscar and Henry Reeve are considered to be the earliest dairymen in the mid-1850s. Their property fronted Monterey Road near today ' s Luchessa Avenue. Soon entering the dairy business was Rodney Eschenburg in Old Gilroy, followed by many pioneering families including the Dexters, the Ellis family on Frazier Lake Road, and Henry Miller ' s Bloomfield Dairy near the Carnadero School and train depot.
The lowland marshes and willow groves were drained by ditches and channels, the most ambitious effort being the Miller Canal which funneled storm water from Soap Lake through a new connection with the Pajaro River. Water management,
Brothers Melchior( Mike) and Peter Blaettler purchased 200 acres of cattle grazing land boardering Day Rd. East, Monterey Hwy., and Santa Teresa Blvd., eventually converting it into a dairy the family operated until 1965. Today the Blaettler Dairy is farmed for row crops. Below and opposite page: Mike and Peter Blaettler families throught the years gives us a glimpse of Gilroy life in the early to mid 20th century.
and tapping the shallow aquifer by drilling artesian wells, facilitated the growth of a thriving landscape for dairies. Shortridge described a typical dairy such as the Furlong Ranch in Old Gilroy " on the road to San Felipe and Soap Lake.” Nearly all of the low land has been cleared of oaks and willows for pasturage and is covered with rye grass, as rye is well adapted to wet terrain. The Furlong dairy consisting of 135 cows is supported by six artesian wells, and the green fields of lush grazing land paint a picture of abundance and beauty."
Henry Miller is best known for vast livestock operations, especially in the Central Valley. Yet, the seasonally wet pastures of his " home place " at the Bloomfield Ranch and his astute business sense pointed him to establishing a dairy under the management of Erwin Davison. Mr. Davison was assigned 800 acres and 350 cows to supply the manufacturing of butter and cheese. Fluid raw milk was quickly spoiled without pasteurization, so butter and cheese were initially produced and hauled to
42 WINTER 2025 gmhTODAY Magazine: Go. Make history... gmhtoday. com