Live Oak Creamery, 88 Martin Street, Gilroy, Santa Clara County, CA

Significance: The Live Oak Creamery is significant, as it was the first butter factory established in Gilroy in 1908. This plain brick building is also unique as the only insulated structure in the area. In the 1920s and 1930s cheese was processed here. The building now stands as a symbol of the time when the dairy business was a major industry in the Gilroy area. The Live Oak Creamery, erected 1908, is significant as the first butter factory to be established in the Gilroy area, the center of Santa Clara County's dairy industry during the early decades of the 20th century. Until it closed around 1940, Live Oak, using the most up-to-date equipment and expert personnel, produced high quality butter and cheese. The one-story masonry structure has been well-maintained since its construction and is presently used as a warehouse and workshop.
Unprocessed Field note material exists for this structure: FN-111
Survey number: HABS CA-2065
Building/structure dates: 1908 Initial Construction