Citrus Industry
Adamson, J. Edgar (b. 1894)
Citrus Grower
Establishment of the Frost Warning Service and Development of Orchard Heaters. 1963.
[ Additional interviewee: Grace Steffa]
Tells of his boyhood activities in cultivating the family grove and working for water companies in the Pomona (California) area. He describes various devices used to control frost in groves. With his father Mr. Adamson established a frost warning service in the Pomona Valley.
Interviewers: Caroline Beatty and Dennis West, Oral History Program.
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Dreher, Edward L. (b. 1877)
Citrus Grower
Grower. 1963.
The son of P. J. Dreher, called the "father" of the citrus growers' cooperative movement in southern California, relates biographical facts about his father, conditions leading to the establishment of the Claremont Fruit Growers' Association in 1893 and the California Fruit Growers' Exchange, and his father's role in their inception and management.
Interviewers: Caroline Beatty and Spencer Olin, Oral History Program.
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Knox, Reginald (b. 1884)
Cooperative Director
California Fruit Growers Exchange.1963.
Began with the Fruit Exchange in 1899, managed San Antonio District Exchange (1917-1932) and served on its board, and served as a Director of Sunkist until 1957. Describes early days of the Exchange and opposition to it, P. J. Dreher's philosophy about the cooperative, including local control, and relations with other cooperatives. He discusses problems with the railroads and Hiram Johnson's influence and helpfulness.
Interviewers: Caroline Beatty and Spencer Olin, Oral History Program.
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Lynn, Harvey (b. 1883)
President, Sunkist
The California Fruit Growers Exchange.1963.
In 1907 Mr. Lynn started as a stenographer for the California Fruit Growers Exchange, became manager of the Arlington-Heights-Riverside Exchange, and became a member of the board and since 1950 President of Sunkist. Recounts his career and phases of management of Sunkist: operation of the Fruit Growers Supply Company, pro-rate system, advertising, and future of the citrus industry.
Interviewers: Caroline Beatty and Spencer Olin, Oral History Program.
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Naftel, Paul F. (b. 1895)
Citrus Rancher
Rancher. 1964.
Describes his youth and life as lemon and orange rancher in the Claremont-Pomona area, where he had served as president of the College Heights Association. Discusses local ingredients to citrus ranching: securing water; cooperative movement among Southern California citrus growers; closing of packing houses in area; heating the groves; securing labor; use of overhead sprinklers for irrigation and to combat smog damage; combined effect of smog and encroaching subdivisions; exodus of growers; and citrus products.
Interviewers: Caroline Beatty and Enid H. Douglass, Oral History Program
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Pitzer, Clifford B. (b. 1904)
Citrus Rancher
Claremont Citrus Rancher. 1964.
Describes Pitzer family history, his boyhood in the Pomona-Claremont area, and student days at Pomona College (class of 1926). He has served on boards of San Antonio Fruit Exchange, O.K.-San Antonio; and Sunkist. Discusses: grove labor and heating; development of water; history of Claremont College Heights Orange and Lemon Association; functioning of the Sunkist organization; and disappearance of groves locally.
Interviewers: Enid H. Douglass and Caroline Beatty, Oral History Program.
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Pitzer, Russell K.
See Pitzer, Russell K. in Claremont Colleges
Sheldon, Winifred (b. 1876)
Pomona Valley Memories.1964.
Wife of Chauncey Sheldon, a prominent Pomona citrus rancher. Mr. Sheldon's father, Charles B. Sheldon, was Treasurer of the Congregational Church Board which founded Pomona College. Describes her first impression of California upon arriving in 1893 because of her father's health problems. Tells of her life as wife of a well-known citrus grower and of the family's involvement in community of Claremont.
Interviewers: Ruth Davidson, Mrs. Sheldon's niece. Enid H. Douglass, Oral History Program.
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Stevens, A. L. (b. 1884) and William Temple (b. 1900)
Citrus Industry Leaders
The San Dimas Lemon Association. 1963.
William Temple was Secretary-Manager of the San Dimas Lemon Association from 1941 until its closing in 1963. A. L. Stevens is a grower who was president of the Association at the time of its closing. They tell about the history of the San Dimas Lemon Association. They discuss: lemon processing, climate factors, price fluctuations, ranch labor, the development of the citrus products industry, and the decline in the San Gabriel Valley.
Interviews: Caroline Beatty and Spencer Olin, Oral History Program.
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Sumner, George S.
See Sumner, George S. in Claremont Colleges
Temple, William
See Temple, William in Stevens, A. L. citation above.
Wheeler, Stuart G.
See Wheeler, Stuart G. in California State and Local History