This is a large double house. The right side of the house was owned by the Gilson family for an extended period of time. William and his wife "Maggie" Gilson operated the Port Royal Dairy from the back of this house for thirty-three years until they sold the business and a new dairy building was constructed on Milford Street. This is how 506 and 508 Main Street appeared in the Spring of 2009 when it was listed to Kay Benner and Donald Oberlin.
Contributed by rkohler3 on 9/15/09 - Image Year: 2009
The first dairy in Port Royal was located on the back of the property at the corner of Market and Sixth Street. This dairy was owned by Peter Beers and next by William Saylor. Eventually it was acquired by R. E. Groninger who sold it to Ralph and Maggie Gilson. (See note)
Note from Port Royal Times of October 2, 1912: Mr. R. E. Groninger, our accommodating milkman, who has served the people of Port Royal the past 27 years, has sold his business to Mr. Ralph Gilson of Turbett Township. Mr. Gilson made his first trip yesterday morning, October 1st, and will continue the good service that his predecessor has established.
Then William and Margaret "Maggie" (Dysinger) Gilson built a dairy behind their home on Main Street. The dairy remained there for thirty-three years.
John "Duff" Taylor purchased both the dairy and house in 1954 and continued operation while residing there. John eventually sold the business to Lane and Joanne (Ulsh) Swartz.
The dairy was moved again in 1958, this time to the northeast corner of Milford and Sixth Streets. Owners at this location were: Walter McCahan and Robert Kauffman. (Eventually this building was converted into MacBarney's Restaurant.)
This double house was built between 1911 and 1928 because it did not exist on the Sanborn Fire Insurance Map of 1911 but was on their 1928 map.
Contributed by rkohler3 on 3/13/13 - Image Year: 1949
ADVERTISEMENT from the 1949 TVHS Yearbook.
Contributed by rkohler3 on 5/30/20 - Image Year: 1955
DAIRY DELIVERY VAN John "Duff" Taylor is driving the delivery van while he owned the Port Royal Dairy. (Photo courtesy of Wayne Taylor)
Contributed by rkohler3 on 7/20/20 - Image Year: 1955
ADVERTISEMENT for Port Royal Dairy when it was owned by John "Dyff" Taylor. (Ad courtesy of Wayne Taylor)
Contributed by jwert on 7/1/12 - Image Year: 1955
I was the milk delivery man for Lane and Joan Swartz 1956-57 time period. Ran the town route in Port Royal one day, and the country route the next. Neal Gilson and Gerald Clark sold milk to the diary. I delivered milk/candy etc. to the workers at Van Dyke Brick from the truck onto a wheel barrow. Two co-workers: Donna Boyer and Walter McCahan. As long as I made a "B" average in school, Darwin Garrett allowed me to have off school to work...he was ahead of his time! --- Jonathan Wert
Contributed by rkohler3 on 12/28/10 - Image Year: 1965
This is the dairy that was constructed on the northeast corner of Milford and Sixth Streets. Eventually it would be converted into MacBarney's Restaurant with apartments on a second floor.
Contributed by rkohler3 on 7/1/12 - Image Year: 1970
A Port Royal Dairy bottle cap for skim milk.
Contributed by ray on 7/1/12 - Image Year: 1950
Port Royal Dairy Bottle
Contributed by rkohler3 on 1/13/20 - Image Year: 1960
Port Royal Dairy Bottle
Contributed by ray on 7/1/12 - Image Year: 1960
Port Royal Dairy Bottle
Contributed by rkohler3 on 7/1/12 - Image Year: 1965
Port Royal Dairy Bottle
Contributed by ray on 7/8/12 - Image Year: 1965
Close-up of inscription on milk bottle.
Contributed by rkohler3 on 11/19/09 - Image Year: 1889
This map shows the 500 block of Main (Middle) Street as it appeared in 1889. This house did not exist at that time.
Contributed by rkohler3 on 11/19/09 - Image Year: 1904
This map shows the 500 block of Main (Middle) Street as it appeared in 1904. This house did not exist at that time.
Contributed by rkohler3 on 11/19/09 - Image Year: 1911
This map shows the 500 block of Main (Middle) Street as it appeared in 1911. This house did not exist at that time.
Contributed by rkohler3 on 11/19/09 - Image Year: 1928
This map shows the 500 block of Main (Middle) Street as it appeared in 1928. This house is #9 on the map.
