A 1937 road trip letter reveals shocking milk-serving habits in Oregon

A letter from 1937 has resurfaced, detailing a road trip from Los Angeles to eastern Oregon. The journey included an unusual stop where milk was served in a way that would raise eyebrows today—straight from a shared container with a pitcher. The trip took the travellers through vast stretches of desolate sage desert. Along the way, they paused for lunch at Tom’s Camp, a remote outpost run by a man who still sold milk the old-fashioned way. Guests were served from a large communal container, despite the known risks of typhoid at the time.

The writer only discovered the milk’s questionable handling after her group had already consumed it. Her husband had kept quiet about the method until then. Surprisingly, no one fell ill or suffered any ill effects from the drink.

The account offers a glimpse into past travel conditions and food safety standards. While the milk posed a potential health risk, the group’s uneventful experience suggests they escaped unharmed. The letter now serves as a record of a bygone era in roadside hospitality.