Baker and businesswoman. Mrs. Baird's Bakery was founded by Ninnie Baird. She developed her baking skills as a child. When she and her husband owned a restaurant and bakery in Obion, Tennessee, she got her first experience in commercial baking. In 1901, they came to Texas and set up the first steam popcorn machine in downtown Fort Worth. The bright red machine, with its brass fittings and steam whistle, had been an instant hit, and another one followed within eight months. The success of the popcorn machines gave the Bairds the capital to buy another restaurant. They opened a lunch room near the Santa Fe depot, and Ninnie was the baker. Her wonderful bread, cakes, and pies earned her a name. After her husband became ill, she realized that she could make a living by baking bread. She sold the restaurant in 1908 and founded Mrs. Baird's Bread at home. She sent her children out to sell the bread. Her business was so successful by 1915 that she purchased an oven from the old hotel and set it up in her backyard. She was delivering bread by horse and wagon by 1917. Her company flourished over time, and she launched other bakeries around Texas. She had nine facilities with over 2,500 employees when she died in 1961, and she was the country's largest independent, family-owned bakery. The news of her death reached the front pages of Texas newspapers. In her memory, the Texas State Senate passed a resolution declaring her "a living example for mothers, wives, business executives, Christians, and good people all around the world." Mrs. Baird's bread is still made by Bimbo Bakeries after the family sold the company in 1998.
Baker and businesswoman. Mrs. Baird's Bakery was founded by Ninnie Baird. She developed her baking skills as a child. When she and her husband owned a restaurant and bakery in Obion, Tennessee, she got her first experience in commercial baking. In 1901, they came to Texas and set up the first steam popcorn machine in downtown Fort Worth. The bright red machine, with its brass fittings and steam whistle, had been an instant hit, and another one followed within eight months. The success of the popcorn machines gave the Bairds the capital to buy another restaurant. They opened a lunch room near the Santa Fe depot, and Ninnie was the baker. Her wonderful bread, cakes, and pies earned her a name. After her husband became ill, she realized that she could make a living by baking bread. She sold the restaurant in 1908 and founded Mrs. Baird's Bread at home. She sent her children out to sell the bread. Her business was so successful by 1915 that she purchased an oven from the old hotel and set it up in her backyard. She was delivering bread by horse and wagon by 1917. Her company flourished over time, and she launched other bakeries around Texas. She had nine facilities with over 2,500 employees when she died in 1961, and she was the country's largest independent, family-owned bakery. The news of her death reached the front pages of Texas newspapers. In her memory, the Texas State Senate passed a resolution declaring her "a living example for mothers, wives, business executives, Christians, and good people all around the world." Mrs. Baird's bread is still made by Bimbo Bakeries after the family sold the company in 1998.
Bio by: Debbie Gibbons
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