History of White Carnation
A Community Landmark Since 1895
Known as a historic landmark since 1895, the current owners of White Carnation since 2017, Corinne Bos and Noriel Abejaron, continue to introduce new flavours to Huron County and the surround area. Their culinary skills and creative food displays have become the talk of the town.
The notorious chefs have been commissioned to add their extraordinary fares to various community and prestigious events, including Huron County Chamber of Commerce Spirit of Success Awards Gala, Inspiring Women Gala, Hand Bags for Hospice, Dancing with the Stars, and a private Stanley Cup party. And they proudly assist many local churches and community groups with their meal fundraisers.
The building in which the White Carnation resides was originally built as a cheese and butter factory. Generations ago, there were cheese factories like this one in most farming communities, but few remain in operation; most have been demolished. This building was constructed with three layers of brick walls and a gable roof. It’s said to have as many as three cement floors, which reach nearly six feet in depth in places.
The Walt Disney Connection
This area of Huron County is widely known for its history with the famous cartoon animator, Walt Disney. The famed cartoonist’s great grandfather built the first gristmill and sawmill here before 1842. Walt Disney visited Holmesville, Goderich, and Bluevale in an attempt to trace his ancestral roots in 1947. All he found were the crumbling remains of the log cabin in Holmesville, where his grandparents married in 1857, according to the London Free Press article posted February 5, 1985.
Holmesville Cheese & Butter Factory
The Holmesville Cheese & Butter Factory began operations in May 1895 with nearly 100 local farmers involved in its initiation as a joint-stock factory (property purchase price: $25.00). Seven cheeses were made from 4,500 pounds of milk taken that first day. The first cheesemaker was Edward Johnson, and the last was Melville Elliott. The cheese manufactured here was exported as far away as Montreal and Great Britain.
Nineteen years later, in 1914, the boiler was added. The boiler doors from the cheese factory days have been retained and keep as a part of the halls interior design.
Imperial Cheese Company
In 1917, the Imperial Cheese Company purchased the cheese factory for $1,600.00. The building was then T-shaped with breathers on the roof. In 1920, McLaren Imperial Cheese Ltd. ran the factory and in 1925, Kraft McLaren.
Canada’s Largest Cheese Maker
1925 saw the Holmesville Co-operative Cheese & Butter Company take over. During the depression, the cheese factory provided a market for the farmers, but it wasn’t until the war years, 1944-45, that the market reached its peak. Under Mel Elliott’s directorship, the factory produced 620 tons per year, the largest maker per year in Canada.
Carnation Milk Company
In 1946, Carnation Milk Company purchased the cheese factory and converted the building to a milk hold depot for the bulk factory in Aylmer, where evaporated milk was processed. The Holmesville plant closed in 1972 so that bulk milk could be delivered directly to Aylmer.
White Carnation Era
In 1972, the building was again converted, this time as a private catering facility by Bob Norman and Bruce Rathwell. It was renamed “White Carnation” after a local resident came up with the name during a contest.
Extensive Restoration
In 1994, Lyall and Karin Mabon began taking the White Carnation to another level with extensive interior and exterior renovations. Adding one of the most notable and unique features - the hard wood dance floor, featuring a carnation flower centre piece. With hard work, Lyall and Karin grew the White Carnation into a popular destination.
Present Day – Chef Corinne & Chef Noriel
In 2017, when Corinne and Noriel became the new owners of White Carnation, they introduced unique cuisine and flavours to the well-known Sunday Buffet alongside the traditional dishes. They have also expanded catering services to include one of kind buffets throughout Huron County for groups up to 400+ guests.
Corinne and Noriel focus on offering seasonal and local products. Their Dutch and Filipino backgrounds often work their way into the dishes offered as they create a new experience for customers with every visit they make to dine at White Carnation.
