Seasons At Lakeside Dairy

Abstract

This chapter details how Angus Bates ran Lakeside Milk Dairy in Shreveport, where he managed a successful dairy business, producing Grade A milk, cream cheese, and sour cream. His hard work and self-education enabled him to build a large two-story home on Talbot Street for his family. Despite initial skepticism, Angus's perseverance paid off, and his dairy business flourished. By the time of his death in 1935, Lakeside Dairy had grown substantially and played a crucial role during the 1925 fire that threatened the Allendale community, with the Bates family successfully saving their home and farm. Angus's innovative farming practices, inspired by Booker T. Washington and George Washington Carver, contributed to the farm's sustainability. The Bates family also overcame racial barriers and supported local Black entrepreneurship, serving primarily immigrant communities due to racial segregation. The family was actively involved in both agricultural and household tasks, including planting vegetables, managing livestock, and handling pollution challenges. Grandma Bates ran a cottage enterprise and kept meticulous records while the family maintained their traditions through seasonal celebrations. The chapter considers the shared histories of resilience and adaptation of the Bates and Leffall families, and how their story reflects the significance of family recipes and culinary heritage in maintaining traditions and contributing to their community.