Milk Farm Restaurant, Highway restaurant in Dixon, California.
Milk Farm Restaurant was a roadside establishment along Interstate 80 in Dixon, California, featuring outdoor dining, multiple gas stations, and a gift shop. The combination of dining, fuel, and shopping made it a multi-purpose stop for travelers passing through the area.
Karl Hess founded the original station in 1924 as Hess Station and later moved it to Milk Farm Road, where it served as a traveler stop for decades. The 1939 relocation marked the beginning of its extended operation as a roadside destination.
The restaurant featured milk-drinking contests where successful participants got their names recorded on a display board. This simple tradition drew travelers over the years who wanted to test themselves against the challenge.
The original building closed in 1986 after storm damage, but the 100-foot tall neon sign featuring a cow jumping over the moon still stands at the site. The distinctive sign remains visible from the Interstate and serves as a landmark for travelers in the area.
The restaurant gained a reputation for homemade specialties such as chicken pot pies and apple dumplings that drew hungry travelers. These comfort food items became the reason many people stopped during their journeys.
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