The History of Blue Bell Ice Cream

In 1907, a group of local businessmen in Brenham, Texas started the Brenham Creamery Company and began making butter from excess cream brought in by area farmers. A few years later, the creamery began making ice cream, too, and it was initially delivered to neighbors by horse and wagon. In 1930, the company name was changed to Blue Bell Creameries in a nod to the Texas wildflower. The company continued to produce butter until 1958, when production shifted to focus on making ice cream full-time. For decades, Blue Bell ice cream was only available in Texas. Then in the 1980s, the company slowly began expanding the distribution area, which now encompasses 24 states. The company briefly shut down operations in 2015 after a deadly listeria outbreak. Blue Bell was forced to pay a hefty fine following a criminal court case brought by the Department of Justice found the company had operated in knowingly unsanitary conditions. After making updates to their operations, the company returned to making ice cream. Today, the company offers a wide variety of Blue Bell Ice Cream flavors as well as a selection of sherbets and other frozen treats.