The roots of Masterson Foods run as deep as those of Wisconsin itself. It all began in 1848, the same year Wisconsin became a state, when Scottish immigrant A.H. Johnston established a confectionery and cracker company right here in Milwaukee. However, it wasn’t until 1899 when his son Robert built the first factory that production lines began churning out chocolates and other toppings for the first time.  This factory was lost in a fire and the present day location was established in 1923.   The area around the Company, built on the bluffs of the Menominee Valley, soon became known as Silver City largely because this seven story red brick building was complete with a bank vault to house the silver dollars needed for payday.  Up until the late 1940’s, employees would get their silver and spend it in the neighboring shops.   The surrounding area on payday was literally ‘silver’ city.