In 1889, H.C. Watson tried his hand in dairy operation north of Lookout, Modoc County. In the beginning all went well, In the summer it was doomed, due to lack of water and feed.

In 1902, Watson entered the dairy trade again. This time around, he was affiliated with several cheese factories in Modoc County under the name of Mountain Valleys Dairy Products. Watson established the Bieber Cheese Factory. In time, Watson would acquire cheese/creameries at Alturas, Lake City and Cedarville. Watson would sale Lake City and Cedarville operations to Vincil Coppedge. In 1928, Coppedge married Watston’s daughter, Mildred In 1942, Coppedge purchased the Alturas Creamery and he renamed it Mountain Lily Dairy.  In September 1944, Watson sold the Bieber Cheese Factory to Vince l Coppedge, Watson died a year a later, and it is my understanding during this time frame the Bieber Cheese Factory was destroyed by fire.

An  interesting anecdote of the operation was relayed to me by Orville Watkins. He stated the catfish grew nice and fat in the Pit River at Bieber  thanks to Watson-the excess whey that cheese factory produced was disposed by dumping it into the river.

Tim