Carnation Farm founder’s great grandson to speak at Redmond Historical Society event
Published 5:57 pm Tuesday, September 30, 2014
Carnation is a century-old dairy brand still recognized across the country, having been a leader in evaporated milk and in marketing with its “contented cows” slogan. What most don’t realize is that its roots are very local — Elbridge Amos Stuart started the company in Kent and then moved to land along the Snoqualmie River in the town of Tolt, later renamed Carnation in honor of the success of Carnation Farm.
Stuart has long passed, but his descendants still own the property and great grandson Elbridge Hadley Stuart III will be sharing the family history with the Redmond Historical Society at its Saturday Speaker Series program at 10:30 a.m. on Oct. 11 at the Old Redmond Schoolhouse Community Center, located at 16600 N.E. 80th St.
That story includes how his great grandfather failed many times before finding his fortune.
“What he ultimately became through hard work, luck and sacrifice is a worthy story for all in search of an example for life,” the younger Stuart writes in a forward to “The Story of Carnation Milk,” a booklet produced to share that history.
Describing himself as a “closet historian,” Stuart researched company files and pulled out family photos to create a slideshow presentation showing the evolution from evaporated milk packers to a thriving dairy farm. Today, the property is used by Camp Korey, a member of the Paul Newman Serious Fun Network and a place where children with life-threatening illnesses can enjoy the outdoors as well as original Carnation milking barns and living quarters.
The property was acquired by the elder Stuart in 1908 — a time when getting there from Seattle was an ordeal.
“Not quite a covered wagon train venture but one might have questioned the sanity of such an acquisition, as E.A. (Elbridge Amos) never saw the property before he bought it,” great grandson Elbridge writes in the Carnation history booklet.
Stuart bought the 360 acres sight unseen but taking the advice of his good friend Sam Hill — the same Sam Hill who made a fortune with Great Northern Railway. Hill, who also invested in the Carnation Company against the advice of his accountant, envisioned the railroad passing through there and, sure enough, a few years later it did.
The Saturday Speaker Series is a monthly program presented by the Redmond Historical Society on every second Saturday from September through May (with the exception of December). Topics range from local, state and Pacific Northwest historical interest. There is a suggested $5 donation for non-members. Speakers are subject to change.
The Redmond Historical Society is a 501 (3)(c) non-profit organization that receives support from the City of Redmond, 4 Culture, Nintendo, the Bellevue Collection, Nelson Legacy Group and Humanities Washington as well as from other donors and members.
