Coburg Dairy was established in 1920 in West Ashley, Charleston, South Carolina, by Francis Stuart Hanckel and I. Dennis Auld. After Auld’s departure, the Hanckel family continued to operate the dairy. Over the decades, Coburg Dairy became a prominent supplier of dairy products throughout the southern United States.
In 1959, the company introduced a rotating cow statue atop a 10-foot platform at its entrance on Savannah Highway. Affectionately known as “Bessie,” the Coburg Cow became a beloved local landmark. Beyond its role as an advertisement, Bessie served as an informal weather forecaster for the community; the cow would be taken down in anticipation of severe storms, signaling residents to prepare accordingly.
In the late 1980s, Coburg Dairy relocated its operations to North Charleston. Despite the move, Bessie remained at her original location, maintaining her status as a cultural icon in West Ashley. The dairy underwent several ownership changes: it was acquired by Dean Foods in 1998, later sold to an investment group, and eventually purchased by Borden Dairy in 2011.
In 2022, Borden Dairy announced the closure of its North Charleston plant and its withdrawal from the South Carolina retail market. This decision marked the end of over a century of dairy operations that began with Coburg Dairy in West Ashley. Nevertheless, Bessie the Coburg Cow continues to stand as a testament to the area’s rich agricultural heritage and remains a cherished symbol for the local community.