LaGrander's Hillside Dairy Inc.

Known until 1992 simply as Hillside Dairy, the LaGrander Hillside Dairy Company is a popular stop in the Stanley-Thorp area for locals and out-of-towners alike. Founded as a workers cooperative in 1923, the Hillside Dairy Company has been an important part of life in the Stanley area for generations. throughout its history, management of this factory has changed several times and numerous additions and improvements have been made. The factory has been owned and operated by the LaGrander family since Dan LaGrander purchased the factory in 1960, and is currently operated by third-generation cheesemakers Ryan and Joe LaGrander. LaGrander's is the last remaining cheese factory in the area, out of a pool of twenty-six different factories that existed at one time or another.

In March of 1913, a cheese factory was constructed South of Stanley, on the Northeast corner of Broek road and Fernwall avenue by one Theodore Schultz. Theodore operated this factory for three years, until it burned down in 1916. However, a newer, more modern factory was rapidly constructed across the road, where LaGrander's is located today. Theodore Schultz continued to operate this factory for seven more years.

In 1923, the Hillside cheese factory underwent a change in management, shifting its business model from privately owned to a worker's co-operative. The factory was operated as a co-op for ten years, under the management of Ernie Holderman. Leo Biel, a native of Athens, WI, moved to Stanley and purchased the factory in November 1933. Biel owned and operated the factory for twenty-seven years, after which he sold it to Dan LaGrander (1960). The local newspaper reported that cheese production at the time of the handover was around 1000-1500 lbs/day.

It did not take long for Dan LaGrander to bein making a name for himself. At the Northern Wisconsin district fair in 1962, He was awarded second place prize for his semi-aged cheddar, and fourth place for his aged cheddar. This was not the last time LaGrander cheesemakers would win awards, however. Dan's son Randy, who took over operation of the factory after him, has earned three separate master cheesemaker certifications. His sons, Ryan and Joe LaGrander, are also accomplished cheesemakers. in 2009, they beat their father in the US Championship Cheese Contest, and Ryan has also earned the title of master cheesemaker.

Under skillful LaGrander management, the Hillside factory has been able to supply high-quality cheese to nationwide brands, as well as individual consumers. One of the most high-profile buyers of LaGrander cheese is the popular burger chain Culver's- one hundred percent of Culver's Wisconsin cheese curds are produced at the LaGrander Hillside Dairy Company.

• “LaGrander Earns Rank of Master Cheesemaker.” The Thorp Courier, June 2003. 
• Gibbons, Sammy. “The Word on the Curd.” Volume One Magazine - Eau Claire Culture and Entertainment. Volumeone.org, August 10, 2016. https://volumeone.org/sites/beercheese/articles/2016/08/11/206253-the-word-on-the-curd. 
• “Hillside Dairy Changes Hands.” Stanley Republican, November 10, 1960. 
• "Area Men Rank High in Dairy Judging at Fair." Stanley Republican, August 2, 1962.
• “About LaGrander's .” LaGrander's Hillside Dairy, Inc. Accessed August 29, 2021. https://lagranderscheese.com/about/. 
• “LaGrander's Dairy Finding Niche in Traditional Styles.” Cheese Reporter. April 1, 2011. http://www.cheesereporter.com/archive/LaGrander%20Story.pdf. 
• Staff, Wisconsin Cheese. “It Ain't Easy Being Cheesy.” Wisconsin Cheese, February 26, 2021. https://www.wisconsincheese.com/the-cheese-life/article/35/ryan-lagrander.