Rainier Valley Dairy

In the early 20th century, small dairy farms dotted the landscape of Rainier Valley, supplying fresh milk to a rapidly growing Seattle. Among the most successful was Rainier Valley Dairy, founded by Smith M. Wilson, whose commitment to quality helped build a thriving local business that would leave a lasting mark on Columbia City and the region’s dairy industry.

Rainier Valley Dairy - Columbia City 1920s

Rainier Valley Dairy was owned by Smith M. Wilson, who started his first dairy business on Beacon Hill in 1916.  There were many small dairy farms throughout Rainier Valley, but Smith was one of the most successful because of his commitment to the purity of his product. He soon relocated his business to Columbia Street at 4922 Rainier Avenue, on the Northeast corner of Rainier and Hudson Street.

Before Wilson moved into the building in 1922, it already hosted a variety of businesses. 

When it was first built in 1908, it was home to the Columbia Undertaking Company and then the W.A. Copeland Painting and Paperhanging Company. In 1928, after Rainier Valley Dairy relocated, the building was rebuilt and became Pat’s and Jeff’s Meals and Card Room. After that, it was a popular Ice Cream Parlor for several years until it became the Christian Science Reading Room in the 1950’s. Now it is the home of Tutta Bella Neapolitan Pizzeria. The building was restored during the 1990s with the approval of the Columbia City Review Committee and Seattle Landmarks Preservation Board. It is significant as an intact example of a 1920s commercial block and contributes both architecturally and historically to Columbia City.

The Photo shows Smith Wilson’s business and delivery truck at 4922 Rainier Avenue. He is the man on the right leaning against a fire hydrant. Due to the growing business, the dairy moved to Rainier Avenue South and South Adams Street, which became the basis for the Darigold Cooperative Milk Processing Plant that is still operating there today.  The Rainier Valley Dairy was noted for their high-quality milk products that were delivered throughout the Valley. This was indicated by the U.S Department of Agriculture Report of September 30th, 1927. They had a rating of 97.66, which was the highest rating of all the 26 dairies tested in the Seattle area. 

In 1929, Wilson merged with the Kristoferson Dairy, which was located just south of Dearborn St on Rainier Avenue. Alfred Kristoferson had started his dairy business in 1898 by rowing across Lake Washington with one-gallon milk cans and a quarter measure, which he then delivered on foot. Smith Wilson, as part of the merger agreement, became an employee of the Kristoferson Company, but no position was created for him. So he left the company, sued Kristoferson and won a settlement. He then decided to run for Seattle Port Commissioner. His platform proposed efficient government and honesty. He promised the community that he would place the interests of the public above politics, personalities and special interests.  He was elected in 1932, served until 1942 and kept his promises. 

During his term as Port Commissioner, Wilson acquired and managed University Dairy on University Way. He died of a heart attack while working at the Dairy in 1942 at the age of 49.

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Bibliography

Anderson , Buzz. “Rainier Valley Dairy .” South District Journal , Aug. 1999, Rainier Valley Historical Society . Days Gone By.

Seattle Historical Sites Search Result - Department of Neighborhoods (DON). https://web.seattle.gov/DPD/HistoricalSite/QueryResult.aspx?ID=2089850652. Accessed 28 Feb. 2026.