The United States’ first successful milk condensing operation was patented by Gail Borden in 1856 in New York state. Borden’s “canned milk” was nutritious, portable, long-lasting, and safe at a time when the dairy industry was not well regulated and adulterated “swill” milk frequently led to disease outbreaks and increased mortality rates in young children. Condensing milk as a way of preserving it was especially welcome in Wisconsin where fresh milk could be produced faster than it could be sold. By 1920, Wisconsin boasted 67 condensing plants and produced approximately one quarter of all condensed milk made in the United States.

The Hillsboro Condensed Milk Company was constructed in 1914 by the short-lived Valecia Condensed Milk Company. Before interior work on the building was completed, Valecia was forced to declare bankruptcy, leaving its promise of a new market for area dairy farmers unfulfilled. In response, a group of local businessmen purchased the property, finished the construction work, and established the Hillsboro Condensed Milk Company. Through several changes in ownership, the facility produced various brands of canned condensed milk from 1915 through 1956, after which time it served as a receiving station for milk being shipped to other condenseries. The facility was permanently closed in 1966. In its capacity as a milk condensing plant and as a receiving station for other condenseries, the Hillsboro Condensed Milk Company building was associated with Wisconsin’s condensed milk industry for more than fifty years. Today, the building is the best representative of Wisconsin’s condensed milk industry in Vernon County and one of the best and most recognizable representatives of the industry in the surrounding region. The property has been recently restored and currently serves as the home of the Hillsboro Brewing Company.