Property Record
124 S DODGE ST
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | MURPHY PRODUCTS COMPANY BUILDING |
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| Other Name: | |
| Contributing: | No |
| Reference Number: | 221226 |
| Location (Address): | 124 S DODGE ST |
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| County: | Racine |
| City: | Burlington |
| Township/Village: | |
| Unincorporated Community: | |
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| Year Built: | 1949 |
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| Additions: | |
| Survey Date: | 2011 |
| Historic Use: | large office building |
| Architectural Style: | Contemporary |
| Structural System: | Balloon Frame |
| Wall Material: | Brick |
| Architect: | JOHN TOPZANT (ARCHITECT); EDWARD RUETER (BUILDER) |
| Other Buildings On Site: | N |
| Demolished?: | No |
| Demolished Date: |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | Not listed |
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| National Register Listing Date: | |
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| Additional Information: | While working at Tilden Farms in Delavan after 1914, James H. Murphy noted troubles with the farm’s livestock each year and reasoned that they were linked to the livestock’s’ feed. He recognized the feed industry sought increased growth and production at the cost of animal health. Consulting leading authorities at his alma mater, he was advised to supply minerals in the animals’ feed. After seeking out sources for products providing these nutrients, his mineral formula was credited with the improved health of the Tilden Farms’ breeding stock. His mineral formula became highly requested, and he began supplying it to farmers at cost. In 1921, James and his brother, Lawrence Murphy, began manufacturing and selling his mineral food for livestock under the name Murphy Products Company. They opened their first plant in an old army barracks that they purchased from Camp Grant, Illinois, and reassembled in Delavan. Initially selling seed and hybrid corn, in 1925, the company began concentrating solely on nutritional feed concentrates which contained a combination of protein, minerals, and vitamins. Their first product, Murphy’s N.R.G. Concentrate, is believed to be the first feed concentrate for poultry sold in the United States. Needing more space in 1925, they purchased the former Badger Dairy Company office and factory buildings at 100 S. Dodge Street in Burlington. In 1947, L. R. Mangold constructed a second floor to the former Badger Dairy Company office building. The former Badger Dairy Company factory was destroyed by fire in 1951. Murphy Products recognized the importance of sales promotion and hired the Wade Advertising Agency of Chicago in 1926. They began selling their products during a Saturday night radio show called WLS Barn Dance. James Murphy traveled to Chicago every Saturday night to voice the commercials himself. The company hired an advertising manager in 1932 who pioneered the use of farm radio for advertising. The company’s advertising came to be recognized as a leader in the feed industry. The company had a sales force of 800 men by 1933. At that time, the company decided to begin distributing through local dealers. With increased field service due to the dealers, Murphy Products actually expanded during the Great Depression. A franchise in the form of a mixing permit provided dealers with the ability to mix, bag, and sell Murphy Products national brands using local grain. Expanding their market, the company established warehouses in Iowa, California, Oregon, and Canada. The company hired Robert Spitzer as Research and Technical Director in 1947. He became integral to the company’s management, product development, and success. Also that year, a 52-foot by 160-foot concrete block warehouse, designed by Milwaukee architect John Topzant, was constructed by Edward Rueter along the railroad tracks between State and Adams Streets at 100 S. Dodge Street. In 1949, a 90-foot by 60-foot office building, designed by Milwaukee architect John Topzant, was constructed by Edward Rueter adjacent to the plant at the cost of $85,000, located at 124 S. Dodge Street. After the new office building’s completion, space in the old office building was renovated to house a quality control and testing laboratory. A new factory was constructed behind the former Badger Dairy Company office building to replace the one lost to fire in 1951. The Murphy Products Company Feed Mill, located at 100 S. Dodge Street, was not included in the survey as its additions and alterations have too greatly diminished its original architectural integrity. Murphy Products purchased a research farm in Brown’s Lake in 1954 at which to test new products and methods. Following James Murphy’s death, Spitzer became company president and purchased the Murphy Products with several other key personnel in 1960. During Spitzer’s tenure, the company’s product offerings multiplied from four to over one hundred types of feeds and nutrients. Murphy Products opened plants in Minnesota, Iowa, Mississippi, North Carolina, Texas, and California. A 32-foot by 36-foot addition was built onto the factory in 1959. Feed storage bins were added in 1960 and 1963. An addition to the factory’s feed mixing department was completed in 1964. Forty-foot high and 10-foot diameter storage silos were erected adjacent to the factory in 1967. A final storage addition was completed in 1972. Joseph Schlitz Brewing Company of Milwaukee purchased Murphy Products in 1971, selling livestock and poultry feed and supplement manufacturing operations in 1977. The company continued to manufacture Maltage, a patented cattle feed made from spent brewer’s grains and other brewing byproducts, at its remaining plants which were situated near Schlitz breweries. The Schlitz Brewing Company was purchased by Stroh Brewing Company of Detroit in 1982. The Murphy Products headquarters were moved to Detroit in 1983. Sometime later, Maple Leaf Farms of nearby Yorkville purchased the former Murphy Products buildings at 100 S. Dodge Street to house a duck feed mill. In 1996, Purina Mills acquired the property and completed a $500,000 renovation before operating it as a full-scale feed operation. |
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| Bibliographic References: | Burke, Michael. “Maple Leaf Farms to Close.” The Racine Journal Times. March 22, 2008. General Files. On file at the Burlington Historical Society, Burlington, Wisconsin. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |