Business: Barr Animal Foods

Transcriber: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Barr, Celar

----Source: Family Scrapbook

Barr Animal Foods, Inc. was started in 1939 by Fred J. Barr. At that time he purchased the business known as "The Barr Brothers" from his brothers Tom and Jake. This was a dead and disabled animal pickup service. He kept up this service to the farmers and at that time bought - four mink to start into the mink ranching business. This was then known as the "Barr Minkery" and was located on the dairy farm owned by his father Fred W. Barr.

In 1942 the farm and dairy operation was purchased by Fred. The mink herd was rapidly increased to a sizable operation. In the late 1940's the dairy was converted to a beef operation. Several of the farms in the surrounding area were bought by the company at that time and the dairy barn was converted to an animal food plant for the mink.

In 1958 on New Years Eve the plant was completely destroyed by fire. Neighboring ranchers helped prepare food for the mink until they were able to rebuild. At this time the pet food operation known as Barr Animal Foods Inc. was formed.

In 1969 it was decided to pelt the entire herd of 33,000 mink and convert the entire business to pet food. Since then the service area has been increased and also extended into Minnesota. Employment went from one person in the beginning to 65 at the present time. This corporation has also developed a night club operation with a staff of approximately 245 people. Fred and his wife Bernyce Celar, along with their children have kept it a family owned and operated business.