One story of how the Ice Cream Sundae got started says that the “Blue Laws” said that cream sodas (soda and ice cream) was too sweet (“sinfully sweet”) to be served on Sundays. So a version without the soda water was created to be served just on Sunday. Beginning around 1906 and well established by 1918, Brown’s Ice Cream Co. was one of the more prominent ice cream businesses in Ogden. Brown’s Ice Cream Parlor was a great place to grab a sweet treat, however their Ice Cream trucks may have been more memorable as they would often be found around Ogden and nearby at city events into the 1960s.

Today, 9 percent of the milk produced by cows in the USA is used to make ice cream. In 1929, Weber County was the proud producer of over 7 percent of Utah’s cow milk. With about 7 thousand dairy cows living in Weber County, dairying made up a major portion of income for the county from the 1920s-1950s. The Weber Dairy Association formed in Ogden in 1924. And relocated to a central location in Ogden in 1926 where milk from all across Weber County was pasteurized and bottled. The Weber Dairy Association also created the “Cream O’Weber” brand which is still in use today. Cow milk is the main ingredient in ice cream. It is also an ingredient in whipped cream which began being used in spray cans in 1948 and is a well-loved topping for Ice Cream Sundaes. Research today shows that on any given day, about 87% of Americans will have ice cream in their freezer. The dairy industry in the USA is certainly supported by ice cream.

In the 1920s’ the census records Weber County as a very agriculturally productive place, one of the most productive counties in Utah. and the fruit industry played a part in that. Weber County farms shipped out peaches, pears, and apples. North Ogden became known for its cherry industry. H. L. Griffin Co. Was located right next to the Union Station Depot and would ship Ogden produce all across the nation. It is possible that H. L. Griffin Co. Fruit, Seeds & Produce would have supplied the Union Pacific Railway with the fruit for their Ice Cream Sundaes. Union Pacific Fruit Sauce Recipe “Bring to a boil, 1 cup pineapple juice, 1 cup peach juice, with ½ cup sugar and ¼ cup maple syrup, add 2 cloves, 1/10 teaspoon of ground nutmeg, ½" cinnamon stick and the juice of 1 lemon. Simmer slowly, thicken slightly with 1 teaspoon tapioca flour mixed in ¼ cup of water, add 1 tablespoon of grenadine and while still boiling strain over 2 cups of the following equally mixed fruits cut in ¼" dice: trimmed orange segments, peeled apple, peach and pineapple. Add a tablespoon of seedless steamed small raisins, cover and let cool. The above amount of sugar to be used if the fruit juices are natural or unsweetened, less sugar to be used if juices are sweetened or a syrup juice from canned table fruit.”

The Union Pacific Ice Cream Sundaes show an inside scoop to what early Ice Cream Sundaes would look and taste like. Although this railroad recipe does not call for a maraschino cherry and whipped cream like for the parfaits, Sundaes were commonly served with these toppings in other locations. Union Pacific Ice Cream & Sherbets, Sundaes, etc. “Order fountain fruits and syrups from commissaries for preparation of all sundaes. Size of dipper to be used as listed below:” \[Chart removed for length – it describes ice cream scoop size] “Remarks: One tablespoonful designated fruit or syrups for sundae or parfait service; when listed with nuts one teaspoonful finely chopped English walnuts. Parfaits to be topped with whipped cream and a ½ Maraschino cherr, berry or tid bit.” Farr Better Ice Cream first started as an Ice company and then expanded to manufacture ice cream. Although they got their start in Ice Cream right before the great depression, their business did not suffer. Cheap ice cream turned out to be a popular comfort food for a nation in crisis. Farr’s today is still operating in the same location as when they first opened and are known for their unusual ice cream flavors. Although traditionally, Ice Cream Sundaes were created with Vanilla Ice Cream, Farr’s is known for their wild and tasty flavors. Create your own Ice Cream Sundae! (The upstairs counter at Farr’s serves Ice Cream Sundaes) Share a photo with us! #OgdenUrbanArchive