“Cheese Factory” Celebrates 150 Years!

When growing up in the area, I always remembered our family visits and school field trips to the “Cheese Factory”. Taking the tour and watching the cheese making process is a lifetime and memorable experience. A great spot to ride your bike on country roads making it your half-way point-rest stop for a picnic with a glass of wine, cheese and french bread while watching the ducks swim in the pond.

This dairy started in 1865 during a time the civil war railroads were lined west to east and western immigrants started settling in Marin County to farm the rich coastal territory.

At his West Marin dairy farm just on the border of Petaluma, Jefferson Thompson built deliciously fresh cheese utilizing the dairy from his cows. Thompson could then deliver it to the dockworkers in the Bay Area by schooner. He soon gained recognition for his European style cheeses – smooth – Camembert ripened Brie and a basic treat named Petite Breakfast cheese – and launched a creamery that would ultimately be called Marin French Cheese.

Click here to learn more about how the Marin French Cheese company will celebrate their 150th Anniversary and see some historic photos of this dairy.