O’Neil’s Dairy was first established in 1914 at 115 Kellogg Avenue by brothers Clem J. and P. Henry O’Neil. In 1922, it moved into the building that was formerly the National Guard Armory (today a parking lot across Fifth Street from the Tribune Building). They operated the first commercial milk pasteurizer in Ames. Their specialty was premium ice cream with a high butterfat content, as high as 6 to 7%, marketed as “Velvet” ice cream. It melted in your mouth and clung to your lips.They remained in business for fifty-seven years, closing in 1971.
This 1939 photo shows O'Neil Dairy's Walker Dynamotive multi-stop delivery truck parked beside their building (known as the Ames Armory). The 1905 National Guard Armory building was constructed of Munn "Miracle" concrete blocks. The 120 pound oversize blocks were made at Munn Lumber on the east side of Duff, just two blocks away from this building. The Ames Daily Tribune's building can be seen across Fifth Street street. (Farwell T. Brown Photographic Archive)