As a native Texan, I’m sorry to say it took me 54 years to finally visit the Blue Bell Creamery, whose slogan when I grew up was “The Best Ice Cream in the Country.” While I tend to agree, I’m certain people from other states might not, so I will concede and go with the slogan, “Blue Bell is the state ice cream of Texas.” I can’t think of too many Texans who would disagree.
History of Blue Bell
Blue Bell Creameries opened in Brenham, Texas as Brenham Creamery Company in 1907. The company made butter from excess cream the farmers brought to the area. A few years later, the creamery expanded to ice cream, hand cranking two gallons a day, that they delivered to neighbors via horse and wagon.
The creamery purchased its first refrigerated truck in 1936 which donned its new name, Blue Bell Creameries, that was changed in 1930. The name was inspired by the owner’s favorite flower the Texas Bluebell.
In the 1940’s Blue Bell focused on producing butter for the troops, but by 1958, the company switched to making ice cream full time. Blue Bell took two years to perfect its Homemade Vanilla flavor in the 1960’s, and slowly began expanding flavors and delivery locations throughout the State of Texas in the 1970’s.
It wasn’t until the 1980’s before Blue Bell was available outside of Texas. Today, its products which also include sherbet, no sugar added ice cream, and snacks, are sold in 24 states and rank as one of the best-selling ice creams in the country. While I’m not much of an ice cream eater, when I visited the factory, I couldn’t resist buying a scoop of my favorite flavor as a child, Mocha Almond Fudge and a seasonal favorite Peppermint for only two dollars!!!
The Factory in Brenham
Not only does the factory in Brenham sell affordable ice cream, but also it features a visitors center, baseball museum, gift shop, and observation deck overlooking the ice cream making process.
The visitor center displays some old equipment, an explanation of the ice cream making process, and a historical timeline of notable events. Outside the visitor center is the first refrigerated car and a sculpture garden.
A second building houses the small baseball museum, a very popular sport in Brenham, on the first floor. The second floor features the ice cream cafeteria, gift shop, and viewing room. Unfortunately, no pictures are allowed of the factory, but I always enjoy seeing the machinery and how the process works. In fact I’m so intrigued by the engineered machines, other processing centers I’ve visited over the years are Hershey, Tillamook, and Jackson Hole Still Works.
Overall, I enjoyed my visit to the Blue Bell Creameries in Brenham, Texas! ETB
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Yum!! Pecan praline and Pecan Pie are sooo good.