Tillamook – A Boatload of Cheese

Did you know that 116 years ago today, a group of Oregon farmers formed the Tillamook co-op? At exactly 9:05 AM on February 13, 1909 the creamery was born. And, to celebrate, Tillamook is giving one lucky dairy lover a boatload of cheese; 1,909 lbs. of cheese, to be exact.​ You can enter the drawing by clicking on this link (https://www.tillamook.com/boatload-of-cheese).

We learned about the boatload of cheese after a spontaneous visit to Tillamook Creamery last December. The creamery wasn’t our intended destination. We just happened to be passing by on our way to ride the “Candy Cane Express” Oregon Scenic Railroad when we realized—how could we not stop?

The Grand Entrance: Prepare for Cheesedom

If you've ever dreamed of a place where cheese flows like a river and twenty flavors of ice cream tempt the palate, then our friend, let us introduce you to Tillamook Creamery. Nestled along the rugged Oregon coast, this dairy-lover’s paradise is a great place to stop.

Stepping into the Tillamook Creamery is like entering a dairy wonderland. The creamery is divided into four distinct sections: a place to learn, where you can dive into the rich history and fascinating process of dairy production; a place to taste and eat, offering delicious samples and meals featuring Tillamook’s finest products; a place to spend, stocked with a variety of dairy delights and souvenirs; and a place to watch, where you can observe the meticulous cheese-making process through large windows.

The Morning Star Delivers

Placards on the wall provide a history of the Tillamook. Founded in 1909 by a group of ten local dairy farmers, a coop was created to produce high-quality dairy products in the coastal pastures of Oregon. Over the years, Tillamook has grown from a small cooperative into a nationally recognized brand known for its commitment to quality and tradition. Today, the creamery still sources milk from local farmers and upholds its time-honored cheese-making process while embracing modern innovation.

Parked in front of the creamery is a replica of a boat with quite a fascinating story! It's about the Morning Star, a ship built in 1854 by the settlers of Tillamook County. The settlers needed a way to transport their dairy products to markets in Portland and Astoria, but the entrance to Tillamook Bay was difficult for commercial traders to navigate. So, they decided to build their own ship.

The community came together to construct the Morning Star, using local timber and remnants of shipwrecks. After a lot of hard work, the ship was completed and launched in January 1855. It played a crucial role in transporting dairy products and seafood, ensuring the survival of Tillamook County. The 1959 replica of the Morning Star, called Morning Star II, was built to commemorate the Oregon Centennial.

The Cheese Factory Tour: Where the Magic Happens

Ever wondered how milk transforms into blocks of happiness? The self-guided tour lets you peek behind the scenes as cheese curds dance their way through vats, getting pressed, aged, and prepared for their grand debut on a charcuterie board near you.

We took the self-guided tour of the factory.

There are massive viewing windows where you can watch workers in white coats looking very serious about their dairy-related duties. I imagine their job descriptions simply say: "Professional Cheese Whisperer."

Little Miss Muffet's curds and whey.

On the opposite side of the viewing area from the vats is the packaging line where huge cheese blocks are sliced and diced into marketable sized chunks. It’s a miracle Allen watched the whole process without once making a ‘who cut the cheese’ wisecrack—though, let’s be honest, it was probably a struggle.

Cheese, cheese, and more cheese!

After watching cheese get made, it's time for what everyone wants—free samples. You’ll be faced with an array of perfectly cubed Tillamook cheeses, ranging from mild cheddar to the much-revered extra sharp, which has the kind of complex flavor that makes you want more. Don’t be shy, try every sample. If you’re a die-hard cheesehead from Wisconsin, you can try the cheese curds, which squeak against your teeth.

The Ice Cream Dilemma

Tillamook doesn’t stop at cheese; they also make some of the best ice cream you’ll ever taste. It’s the brand we usually get at the grocery stores. It's CREAMY. The biggest problem you’ll face is choosing just one flavor. There’s Marionberry Pie, Sea Salt & Honeycomb Toffee, Mountain Huckleberry, and over a dozen more that will make you question every decision you’ve made up to this point in your life. There is a cafe that serves pizza and burgers. We substituted supper with Tillamook ice cream in an excellent waffle cone.

Yummy!

Cheese Shopping

Before you leave, there’s the small matter of the gift shop, which is basically all things Tillamook. Cheese wheels, cheese spreads, cheese-themed socks—you name it, they have it. We picked up a big block of smoked cheddar.

Final Thoughts: Was It Worth It?

A visit to Tillamook Creamery is an experience that will stay with you—mostly because you’ll still be carrying a little extra cheese weight for the next few days. But let’s be honest, it’s completely worth it. We wouldn't recommend driving a few hours just to go there, but if you ever find yourself on the Oregon coast, do yourself a favor and pay homage to the dairy monument at Tillamook. Your taste buds will forever be in your debt.

Have you been to Tillamook? Did you also leave with 47 pounds of cheese and an ice cream-induced brain freeze? Let us know in the comments!