It’s Christmas in July!

Business: Ballard Ice Cream Company
Year of this Advertisement: 1921
Location:  Originally on North Delaware Street; at the time of this ad, located at 315 N. Alabama Street
Neighborhood: Downtown
What they did: Sold ice cream and milk
Years of operation: 1877-1952
Notable: William Hadley Ballard excelled in all he did. He was born just a hair outside southwest Marion County in Friendswood, the son of a farmer. After moving to Indianapolis in 1872, he bought a grocery store, which he sold in 1875 and opened a small milk company with a partner, manufacturing ice cream on the side. The Ballard Ice Cream Company was one of the first ice cream companies in the United States, and enjoyed great success for decades, until it was sold in March 1952 to National Dairy.

Additionally:  Nesselrode Pudding (the ad spells the name of this dessert incorrectly) is a frozen fruitcake-esque dessert made with candied fruit, chestnuts, and custard.  It is sometimes topped with whipped cream, and was very popular from the 1920’s – 1950’s.  Have you ever had or made Nesselrode Pudding?  Or, what is your favorite holiday dessert?