Webinar California Sunshine: Citrus Label Art of the Redlands District

A.K. Smiley Public Library presents "California Sunshine: Citrus Label Art of the Redlands District." Dr. Nathan Gonzales takes a look at some of the citrus label art of years past and the packing houses that utilized them to promote "Redlands Gold." Presented June 27, 2020.

[monaf.rosst.pinyan]

Great Webinar video with insightful history and label art tidbits. I may have communicated with you a year or so ago via email. I'm still looking for that “stock” label, as in the one with a blue background showing a Marsh Seedless grapefruit with a blank white rectangle below for a (smaller) grower to write or stamp in their name... and address. All purchased by my parents from Scheniman Paper, a few miles down Hwy 99 from where we lived on Miles Ave. between Monroe & Clinton.

At 18:43, what appears to be a coalbunker or coal storage site is to the right of the “California Citrus Union Packing Ho.” Wonder if the coal was for the consumption of the Santa Fe RR, or just general winter heating needs of the community. In the S.P. yard of Indio, in the early 1960s, I remember coming across a low wooden fenced area strewn with coal. Honestly, I had never seen an actual lump of coal before. Upon reflection as to its use, I imagined it being thrown into a potbellied stove in a caboose.

And again, at 36:37, on the (Sanborn) map, we see what’s labeled as a “Coal Shed” to the right of “Redlands Heights Orchards Packing Ho.” Interestingly, in smaller font, is “Power & Lights Elec. Wood Posts, ” which might account for the use of coal - to generate electricity. But what has "Wood Posts" got to do with anything?

Is that a bit of snow on the ground at 30:56, showing the Gold Banner Association Packing House? It might help ID the year?

At 33:49, it’s interesting to see three bicycles parked by the I. L. Lyona & Sons packinghouse - from around 1900.