Saturday Travel Feature
Spokane Milk Bottle

"The Benewah Milk Bottle is a landmark in Spokane, Washington. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the milk bottle was one of two constructed in the area to accompany a successful dairy operation's stores.

"The bottle was completed in 1935 and is a classic example of literalism in advertising. The bottle is stuccoed from its base to where it begins to taper to the bottle's neck. The neck and cap are sheet metal over a wooden frame. The entire bottle had an original white paint. It was Paul E. Newport who built the milk bottles. Newport owned the thriving Benewah Dairy Company. Company ads stated the bottles were "designed to build better men and women by making dairy products attractive to boys and girls. No expense will be spared to make these new stores as sturdy as fine, and as good as the products they represent." Wikipedia.

This first store was just as described, only a milk bottle shaped building. The sign put up on the stack of this building depicted a Native Indian in full feather headdress advertising Benewah Creamery, Fresh Milk and Cream. Later a rectangular store was added to the milk bottle. The first sign on the stack of this building was simply Benewah Dairy Store. Posters in the windows listed Butter 69 cents a pound and Cottage Cheese 19 cents a pound. Inside the store a sign read Lady Borden peach ice cream 20 cents. The next sign that appeared on the stack and the one that is present today is a neon oval that simply says The Milk Bottle. Above the oval is advertised the types of food that is served, such as burghers.

The color scheme inside the store has always been black and white. Photos that line the walls show the original long counter on one side and upholstered booths on the other side. The original floor was medium sized square black and white tiles. Today the sides of the long counter are covered in white tile and the upholstered booths have been replaced with small tables and chairs. The floor is covered in small white tiles grouted in black.

The Milk Bottle is located at 802 Garland Street in the heart of the Garland District of Spokane. Other neighboring buildings of the same era are the Ferguson's Fountain Cafe, the Brown Derby with it brown derby shaped sign, and the Masonic Temple on the corner. The Garland Theater, art deco in design and built in 1945, is just a block away. All these are worth a look when visiting The Milk Bottle that is only open 11 am to 4 pm and is always crowded. This is not only because it is a piece of history, but the food is fresh and reasonably priced: $7.83 for a milk shake, cheeseburgher, and fries or a salad.

A second 'Benewah Milk Bottle" is South 321 Cedar Street in Spokane, but is not thought to be presently in use.

Photo: Taken March 2010 by SW.
Link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benewah_Milk_Bottle