Allen Dairy Collection

Collection

Identifier: MS-0060

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The Allen Dairy Collection documents the farm's foundation and provides several topographical maps and architectural blueprints pertaining to the dairy's construction. As the majority of the collection consists of maps and blueprints, flat files one through five document the architectural aspects of the farm. The collection’s only box consists of a legal description of the Allen property, personal effects of John D. Allen, ribbons and medals from the Southern California Exposition and the Ramona Nuevo Horse Show, and a newspaper article covering the dairy’s closure in 1975.

Dates

Creation: 1944 - 1975

Creator

Allen Dairy (Organization)

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

The copyright interests in some or all of these materials have not been transferred to San Diego State University. Copyright resides with the creator(s) of materials contained in the collection or their heirs. The nature of archival collections is such that multiple creators are often applicable and copyright status may be difficult or even impossible to determine. In any case, the user must assume full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, obtaining publication rights and copyright infringement. When requesting images from Special Collections & University Archives for publication, we require a signed agreement waiving San Diego State University of any liability in the event of a copyright violation.

Historical Note

The Allen Dairy was built by Seveno Allen in 1885 following his and his wife’s move from Kansas. It was originally located in Mission Valley where it remained until 1957, when it was relocated to El Cajon by Allen’s grandson, John (Jack) D. Allen. It was the first commercial dairy to operate in San Diego County, growing to considerable prominence before 1950. It’s prominence was largely due to contributions made by Fred and Harvey Allen (two of Seveno’s thirteen children) who owned their own ranches as well as the dairy’s use of door-to-door sales and a storefront in Hillcrest. In 1975, the last owner, John D. Allen, closed down operations due to rising feed costs, marginal profits, and what he considered to be unnecessary harassment by regulatory agencies. In 1978 a housing development was constructed at the El Cajon dairy site.