Take A Day Trip To Plymouth, The Original Cheese Capital Of Wisconsin
Plymouth is a small town of about 8,500 people in the east-central part of the state — near Sheboygan. You wouldn’t realize it from looking at a map, but about 15 percent of all cheese produced in the United States is handled here. From production facilities to large cold storage warehouses, Plymouth is frankly just full of cheese. With a rich history in our state’s most well-known industry and a beautiful, walkable downtown area for you to explore, Plymouth is a perfect spot for a weekend trip. Take a day trip to the original cheese capital of Wisconsin.
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Wisconsin produces more than a quarter of all cheese made in the US — if Wisconsin were a country, it would be the fourth largest cheese producing country in the world. And tiny Plymouth is a huge player in that very large business.
No one knows exactly why Plymouth became such an epicenter of cheese production. It makes sense as it has access to farmland, and is close to a port in Sheboygan, but mostly it just comes down to some folks that happened to live there.
Two big names in US cheesemaking — Joseph Sartori and Leonard Gentine Sr. — merged their names and in 1953 founded Sargento. Before they joined forces, Gentine opened a cheese counter in Plymouth in 1949 that's still in business. Everntually, Sartori sold his portion of Sargento and opened his own eponymous cheese company. Gentine's and Sartori's still run both companies in Plymouth and family members are involved in other cheese companies in Plymouth.
Satori, Sargento, Masters Gallery Foods, and Great Lakes Cheese all have headquarters or factories here. There is more than 300,000 square feet of cold storage for cheese in Plymouth.
One of the coolest bits of cheese history in Plymouth was the Wisconsin Cheese Exchange, a revolutionary trading group that made sure that small farms and production facilities could get their product out to those who needed it before it expired. The exchange eventually moved to Green Bay and then Chicago, but it was an awesome idea that helped make cheese production in Wisconsin viable.
Plymouth is quite proud of their cheese history. There are murals around town depicting different important events and the town has embraced their role as a cheese capital of the world.
Every bit of this town has ties to cheese — Plymouth Brewing Company's building used to house a business that manufactured items for the cheese industry. Now you just get to enjoy the beautiful building while sipping on some delicious beers.
One of the city's newest additions is the Dairy Heritage Center. This brand new facility has three floors dedicated to cheese-making, specifically focusing on what is done right there in Sheboygan county.
From hands-on learning and tons of history to fun interactive areas for kids, as well as a shop selling cheese from the area, a lunch counter serving grilled cheese and a demonstration kitchen, this building has it all.
Plymouth is a charming, quaint Wisconsin small town with a ton of history and a huge impact in the world cheese market — you definitely should plan a trip here soon.
To learn more about this exciting small town, visit the official website for Plymouth, Wisconsin.
Have you ever been to the original cheese capital of Wisconsin? What’s your favorite attraction in this small town? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below! And if you know another amazing place to take a day trip in Wisconsin, nominate it for a chance to be featured.
What are the best places to get cheese in Wisconsin?
As America’s Dairyland, it’s no surprise that we have tons of amazing cheese shops. If you want to explore some of the best, take our Wisconsin cheese road trip! This culinary adventure begins at Arena Cheese, an award-winning cheese shop. You’ll love their Colby and Colby Jack varieties. Then you’ll venture to Hook’s Cheese in Mineral Point. After that, continue to Brunkow Cheese in Darlington. Each and every stop on this trail will delight your taste buds.
What are the best day trips to take in Wisconsin?
There is so much to see and do in The Dairy State. If you’re looking for a unique Wisconsin day trip, you’re in luck! We have created quite a few guides over the years. For starters, check out our list of the 19 very best day trips you can take in Wisconsin. Explore the historic streets of Chippewa Falls, play a game at the oldest bowling alley in the state, and relax in a scenic vineyard. This list includes everything you could ever want to do in Wisconsin.
What are the best small town restaurants in Wisconsin?
You’ll find loads of exciting eateries in Wisconsin’s small towns! Sheila Mae’s Town Fryer, located in Burlington, is no exception. This tasty down-home eatery serves comfort meals that are to-die-for. If you loved this place, you should also visit Freddy Valentine’s in Spring Green. Need more ideas? Check out our list of the best small town restaurants in Wisconsin. This article highlights some of the most delicious, underrated eateries in the state.
