James Larson went into the well drilling business in 1883, and continued for a few years until he went into the lumber business. Louis Larson, brother of James, drilled wells around Roland in 1912, then moved to Lakefield, Minnesota in 1920.
Malcom Larson started well work in about 1922 and at the present is still active in the business. Leonard and Severt Larson worked with Malcom until Severt started farming and Leonard went into carpenter work. Henry Stenson worked for his son-in-law, Malcom, a few years.
Max Larson went into partnership with his father in 1956, and continued until 1965 when Max bought Malcom's interest in the business. The business is now owned and operated by Max Larson with the help of Carroll Wolter and Malcom Larson.
Roland Cleaners was first organized in 1946 by Gordon Bakka and his wife, Doris. This cleaning business operated several cleaning routes in the surrounding counties and did an extensive business until Mr. Bakka was forced to retire in 1961 because of his health. Mr. and Mrs. Bakka continue to live in Roland.
The Roland Farmers Creamery was organized January 11, 1891. The first officers were E. E. Evans, president; Jeremiah Olson, vice president; Joseph Duea, secretary; B. C. Hanson, treasurer; and board members O. C. Langland, Nels Nelson and J. Evenson.
A building was erected and equipped, and operations started. The building was partially destroyed by fire on June 12, 1912, and a new modern brick building was constructed by James H. Larson, contractor, the same year.
One of the most promising creameries in the state, it had its peak of business in 1897 when 280,464 pounds of butter were made, and patrons were paid over $15, 500. The highest amount paid to patrons was more than $147,600 in 1947.
As farmers quit milking cows, the volume gradually declined, and the shareholders decided to sell the plant and equipment in 1954 to Iowa Dairy Foods after more than 60 years of operation. Iowa Dairy Foods, a subsidiary of Winter's Dairy at Marshalltown, was sold in 1956 to the Borden Company. They continued to manufacture cottage cheese and other dairy products until the plant was closed in 1959.
Some of the buttermakers included George Wick, Lawrence H. Larsen and Lyman L. Larsen. The latter two were father and son, and were butter-makers for the company over 30 years.
After closing the plant, the Borden Company donated the property to the Town of Roland for a recreational area, and the swimming pool is now located on this site.
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