Did you know July is National Ice Cream Month? But We Think Ice Cream Month is EVERY MONTH. Mr. Local History looks back at the history, the good fun (and some “good humor”).
The first official account of ice cream in the New World dates to a 1744 letter from a guest of Maryland’s Governor William Bladen. The first advertisement for ice cream in this country appeared in the New York Gazette on May 12, 1777, when confectioner Philip Lenzi announced that ice cream was available “almost every day.” Records–kept by a Chatham Street, New York merchant–show President George Washington spent approximately $200 on ice cream during the summer of 1790. Ice cream’s history dates back to the Founding Fathers.
The legendary Carvel Cookie o Puss and Fudgy the Whale
Ice cream is universal. It’s refreshingly cold with flavors galore in an industry that’s always looking for new ways to get the treat into your mouth. From creameries to ice cream trucks, the Mr. Local History project examines ice cream’s local history over the years.
The Somerset Hills was a major producer of ice cream ingredients, mostly dairy cream from area creameries. While outlets like Reids, Horton’s, and the W. E. Tunis Store opened the first soda fountains in the Somerset Hills, nothing beat a hot-day trip with mom and dad.
But making ice cream was complicated, and keeping it free of bacteria required local ingredients. Fresh cream and a sterile manufacturing process were essential. These processes changed rapidly in the 1920s and soon became ready for regionalization for those with a vision. In the late 1920s, two brothers from Bernardsville took a dream and began driving towards a reality.
1931: Bernardsville Gets in the Manufacturing Game
In July 1931, the Bernards Creamery Ice Cream Manufacturing Plant began operating at 13 Mill Lane (Street) in Bernardsville, thanks to brothers Arthur and James Looby, to make ice cream and sherbets. The ice cream was a natural extension of their already busy milk and dairy business.
Remember that freezers were still a novelty in the 1930s? So, who remembers “dry ice”? In response to printed invitations about the opening, over 2,000 samples in Dixie Cups awaited visitors to the creamery across the street from Rudolph’s Steakhouse.
Ice Cream in the 1960s
Fast forward to the 1960s, and ice cream went mainstream in the Somerset Hills. All towns except Gladstone had an ice cream outlet. Bernardsville led the way with the most ice cream stores, including Dairy Queen, Jerolomans, Buxtons, and Friendly’s. Basking Ridge had the Minute Man, Village Fountain, and the Corner Cupboard. And Far Hills had the Far Hills Pharmacy.
“Ah, The Dairy Queen – cruisin’ on Friday nights!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”
Susan Hurley Carter-Withrow – Basking Ridge
“Back in the day the Minute Man had the best and biggest ice cream sundaes!”
Karen Jones Potts
“The RHS cross country team would hit the B’ville DQ instead of doing our workouts when we felt like we were being ‘overworked.’ I think we were busted only once or twice by Coach Larry Smith! LOL.”
John Babyak – Basking Ridge
In Basking Ridge, the Corner Cupboard was big and offered Costa’s Brand Ice Cream.
Ice Cream Truck Resurrection
Everyone remembers the ice cream trucks. The music, the bells, the rush to chase it down the street with a few bills you just got from your mom before you started your mad dash. You hoped that some other kid was more prepared and came out screaming to stop the truck so that you could catch up. Ah, the days.
Fast-forward to 2020: Neighborhoods and house parties have brought back the offerings, and new trucks are rolling down your neighborhood streets. The ice cream truck goes full circle, and kids are again running down the street chasing the new ice cream goodness.
Basking Ridge’s Joe Morazzo’s Vintage Ice Cream Truck Collection
Credit: Brooks Betz
Joe Marazzo of Basking Ridge owns and operates Delicious Ice Cream, a company his father, Al, established in 1955, selling ice cream seven days a week from April to October to supplement his income as a pipe-boom and heavy-truck operator with the City of NYork’sk’s Water Department. He was the ice cream man at Marazzo’s on Staten Island and drove a 1950 Chevy ice cream truck with a refrigeration unit.
What was your favorite?
And Yet Another Basking Ridge Resident Launched the “I Scream, You Scream” Truck
LOVE LOCAL Ice Cream
In addition to truck service from Basking Ridge’s Joe Marazzo and Priscilla’s Pantry, you can visit these great local ice cream eateries:
- Ava’s Homemade Ice Cream – Basking Ridge
- Frozen Falls – Basking Ridge
- Penguin Ice Cream – Bernardsville
- Dairy Queen – Bernardsville
- Baskin-Robbins – Bernardsville
- Priscilla’s Pantry – Basking Ridge
- Cold Stone Creamery – Bedminster
- Baskin-Robbins – Bedminster
- Gabriel’s Fountain – Martinsville
- Rita’s Ice Cream – Bridgewater
- Rita’s Ice Cream – Berkeley Heights
- Polar Cub Ice Cream Stand – Whitehouse Station (Personal Favorite 🙂 )
Post a comment! Where was your favorite ice cream hangout when you grew up?
July Is National Ice Cream Month. Did You Know…
- The first ice cream parlor in America opened its doors in New York in 1776.
- The ice cream sundae was conceived in the 1880s.
- Vanilla ice cream reigns supreme.
- The U.S. ranks second in ice cream consumption, after New Zealand.
- California produces the most ice cream in America.
Katie Elwell
The dentist, whose office was above the Village Fountain, gave you a card for a free ice cream cone at the VF. But, to get one, you had to be very good and not cry. Lol.