Welcome to a short history of Sanders and Custer

Pictures from the Sanders Family and Orval Smith

Joseph T. Sanders founded the family ham business back in 1925, delivering his homemade products in a Model T Ford. The hams were well received and quickly gained in popularity and increased distribution. With the increase in demand for the old fashioned hams came the need for more processing area, and many expansion programs throughout the years, with modern equipment and renewed enthusiasm for more Butterball Hams.

We know that there is only one time-tested way of making a truly authentic old-fashioned Butterball Ham, and that method has not been compromised over the years. Our hams are still made that way today for your eating pleasure.

Sons and grandsons, and now great-grandsons, have joined the business in keeping the Sanders Butterball Ham a proud family business tradition for over 80 years.

Leo and Carlton Sanders at the Custer Centennial in 1980.

Farmers line the railroad tracks to the south of the current location with their crops.

A barn at the old location of Sanders' Meats.

Inside of the Fisher Store in the 1930s.

Readers Hardware was across from where Sanders is today.

The corner of "old downtown" and Main Street in Custer, from left to right, Unknown, Brayman Store, Readers and the Grist Mill.

Looking east, downtown Custer.

Custer Clothes Pin Mill. The mill was in business from 1888 to 1909 and at the height of prosperity made 24,000 wooden clothes pins each day, making it the biggest clothes pin factory in the world. The mill contributed much to the history of Custer.

Custer Saloon on Main Street.

Brayman General store in the 1880s on the corner of First and Main Street, where Sanders is located today.

Left to right, Fishers' Store, Custer Hotel and Reader Hardware.

Old bank building where Sanders Meats is today.

DeLing Grocery.

Joe and Vera Sanders.

Custer Depot in 1915, Photo by R.C. Hansen. Sanders is located to the left, across the tracks from the PM Depot.