Edgewater Teaser

In our last newsletter, we advised that Edgewater had another dairy in addition to the Edgewater Dairy, which was first located at 1414-16 W. Highland, and we asked: Where was this other dairy and what was it called?

The Answer:

Edgewater’s other dairy was located literally a stone’s throw from the museum, just down the alley to the south, and specifically at 1614-16 W. Summerdale. The pre-October 1909 numbers were 740-744. See Figure 1. It was first called the Phillip Ungrich and Sons dairy and then later Phillip Ungrich and Son (singular).

The building in which the dairy was located – the red brick building partially to the rear of the greystone two-flat at what is now 1614 Summerdale – was not always used as a “milk depot.” It was built not by Phillip Ungrich but by August F. Peters. The permit was issued in March, 1904. The 1905 City Directory lists him at 744 Summerdale, with his occupation, “meatmrk” He is also listed in the business directory under “meat” at the same address, which appears to mean that the meat market was at this address.

The 1900 census shows him residing at the same address (now renumbered 1614) with his wife. His occupation was given as “packer, wholesale meats.” Interestingly, the 1911 City Directory shows his home address at 1614 Summerdale, but his place of business under the title “A. Peters & Co” at 5356 N Clark. The business was now shown as “sausage mfrs.” It seems reasonable to conclude therefore that the red brick building was first used in sausage making.

Phillip Ungrich purchased the property from August Peters in May, 1912. The 1913 City Directory is the first to list him at the Summerdale address (1614). Prior to that, at least going back to 1908, he and his dairy were listed at 1231 Barry (present number). He had three sons, Anton C., George P, and Phillip, Jr. Only Phillip Jr. apparently was not involved in the milk business. In the 1913 directory his occupation is listed as “decorator,” even though his address was also given as 1614 Summerdale.

The dairy had a long life in Edgewater: from at least May-June 1913 through sometime in the 1940s since the 1940 telephone directory still lists the dairy at this location, even though Phillip (the father) died in 1935 (July 13). His son Anton was listed in the 1950 telephone directory as still living at 1616 Summerdale. However, there was no listing for the dairy.

Like the Edgewater Dairy building on Highland, the Phillip Ungrich building has been converted to single family use. Unlike the Edgewater Dairy, however, to our knowledge no bottles from the Ungrich dairy have survived. We continue to look.

One interesting coincidence is that both dairy buildings had addresses that ended in 14-16 and both buildings had an alley on the east side.

Special note to our readers

We are happy to receive answers to the Teaser’s either at the web site or by mail. Usually there is plenty of time between issues of the Scrapbook. Recently we received this informative letter from Margaret Smith, who lives in West Andersonville. “I have lived in the neighborhood since 1940 and some of the things I remember are: at 1618 Summerdale there was a dairy. It was on the ground floor off the north and south alley. At 1638 W. Summerdale there was a small grocery in the basement. It was owned by “Erickson” who lived in the building.” Margaret included more information about Andersonville which we will research for future Scrapbook articles. Thanks Margaret. Your are correct. We hope you enjoy reading the additional information that LeRoy Blommaert compiled.