I bet anyone from Northern California knows exactly where this sign is.
I have driven past it about 1000 times in past 50 years. Probably more. And I've always wanted to stop and take a picture of it. Today I decided – what the heck. I pulled over onto a little traveled service road and walked around trying to find the best photo taking vantage point.
The sign stands in an abandoned lot where the restaurant used to be. The restaurant was built in 1928 and was quite popular until its demise in the mid 80's. It was damaged in a big storm and essentially abandoned until 2000 when what was left of the building was dismantled and put in storage.
There are hopes that the building will eventually be reassembed but most likely it won't be in its orginal location. Instead it will most likely be turned into a shopping center or business park. Much like the fate of its iconic neighbor, The Nut Tree, down the road.
I have a friend that collects Milk Farm memorabilia. He has a few pieces of the china with milk farm logo and a few other items. I always look for the china when I am in antique stores. I just know that back when it closed someone in Woodland or Dixon bought up a ton of it and it's sitting in their basement.
In all the times I drove past it I actually only stopped in once. It was back in the late 70's and we were driving back from a trip to Tahoe when we decided we wanted a milk shake. I remember being shocked at paying something like $4 for that milk shake but it was very good.
By the way, the property is for sale if anyone feels like resurrecting a Northern California landmark. I bet you could get the bits and pieces of the restaurant for a good price too. I promise I'll stop in more regularly if you reopen it.
I’m from Oregon and I knew exactly where that sign was! We drove up and down the highway between Oregon and grandma’s house in the Bay Area several times a year and I went to college in San Francisco. I was sad when the Nut Tree and the Milk Farm weren’t there anymore. I like good things to stay where they’ve been! Hope somebody resurrects it.
~Adrienne~
Oh my gosh Andrea, I sure DO remember The Milk Farm and stopping there to eat once or twice when our son was a little guy (years and years ago.)
You brought back so many memories of driving by that very spot over the years as well, the signage was a cheerful landmark on our way to visit family in Sacramento and beyond.
I miss the original Nut Tree, I’ve never stopped by since the revamp… I like to remember it the way it used to be ~ fun times from childhood with family.
Thank you for posting this!! xo
I know that sign, I miss the Nut Tree sign….
When Dennis and I eloped, we stopped there for a milkshake on our way home. It was my wedding meal. I’ve always had a soft spot for that place.
Like everyone else, I’ve seen that sign a million times as well. My parents used to take us to the Nut Tree to ride the train. It was a fun place. I had a framed poster from the gift shop that I used in my first apartment. Later the artist of the photo became a quilt artist. Of course right now I can’t think of her name to save my life. I have a lot of fond memories of the Nut Tree. And hey, I always loved that chicken sign along 99 ( I think), It was a resturant conneted to a ghost town? What the heck?
what a surprise to see the sign and I know exactly where it is. We used to live in Vacaville and every trip up the freeway to Sac we saw this sign and the restaurant. Also loved the Nut Tree and the cookies and train! Sure brings back some great memories! thanks!
Hey! I pass that sign all the time traveling between Sac (where I live) and Vacaville…thanks for the pic…I always say I will stop sometime but never have.