New York City Station M Horse Drawn Milk Delivery 1908 Real Photo Postcard

Milk delivery by horse-drawn wagon was a ubiquitous service in urban and suburban areas from the late 19th century through the early 20th century. Before the advent of universal household refrigeration, milkmen made daily rounds, often in the pre-dawn hours, to ensure fresh dairy products were available to homes. Milk was frequently transported in large metal cans, from which it could be portioned into customer containers or pre-bottled for distribution.

This method of delivery reflects a critical period in public health and food distribution, predating the widespread use of motorized vehicles for commercial routes. The transition from bulk milk sales to individually bottled milk, which gained momentum in the early 20th century due to sanitation concerns, eventually changed the milkman's routine and equipment. Such scenes became less common as motorized trucks and improved refrigeration transformed the industry.