Old Mother Hubbard dog food factory on the corner of Rogers and Perry streets in Lowell.
For local residents "Old Mother Hubbard" is more than just a nursery rhyme. It's well remembered today as that large dog-food factory located in the old Cooper Knitting mill building on the corner of Rogers and Perry streets in Lowell.
According to Oldmotherhubbard.com, "the history of Old Mother Hubbard Baking Company began in Gloucester, MA, in 1873 as A. Hubbard & Son bakery. And as the story goes, the original recipe began as a wholesome snack for fishermen, and one day a sailor threw a biscuit to his dog who happily gobbled it up. The rest is history."
In 1926, the Old Mother Hubbard Natural Dog Treats company was founded in Gloucester. And in 1961, the company was purchased by Jim
Scott Sr.
Old Mother Hubbard dog food factory on the corner of Rogers and Perry streets in Lowell.
Street location in 1974, each manufacturing site in the city being chosen because of its location next to railroad tracks, which were used to bring in raw materials for making of pet-food products.
It's no secret the business had its issues with the city and survived multiple fires, but according to past employees, the Scott family always persevered and took care of all their employees. The Scott family sold the business and in 2008 Old Mother Hubbard became a member of the WellPet family of brands, based in Tewksbury.
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Condos stand where the factory was once located on Rogers Street, but the company still holds a local connection, with its home office now located in Tewksbury under the WellPet family of brands.
Last week, I had the privilege of visiting the home office on Ames Pond Road and was amazed at what the company has become, with various brands and the 700 products it makes for cats and dogs. They love animals. Visit them at www.oldmotherhubbard.com.
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For more historical photos and Sun stories about Old Mother Hubbard, visit Lowellsun.com/RememberWhen.
Top left photo: The Old Mother Hubbard company at Rogers and Perry streets. (Courtesy Lowell Historical Society)
Middle top photo: The first Lowell location for Old Mother Hubbard, on Tanner Street. (Old Mother Hubbard file photo)
Middle bottom photo: A train arrives carrying raw materials to Old Mother Hubbard. (Old Mother Hubbard file photo)
Top right photo: From left, Diane Scott, Angela Scott and Janet Scott attend a trade show dressed up as an Old Mother Hubbard. (Old Mother Hubbard file photo)
Bottom left image: Sun newspaper advertisement from 1976 for Old Mother Hubbard pet foods.
Bottom right photo: Old Mother Hubbard's first-shift manufacturing and packaging departments. (Old Mother Hubbard file photo)
