Goleta Valley Channel Lemons Crate Label

Seagulls fly across an oval vignette of a coastline orchard, with a lighthouse and ship at sea, all set against a dark blue and black background on this colorful lemon crate label — Channel Santa Barbara County Lemons for Goleta Lemon Association of Goleta, California. Lithograph printed by Schmidt Litho Co., Los Angeles, circa 1930s. 12.5 x 8.75 inches.

According to the Goleta Chamber of Commerce article Lemons Are Goleta by Justin M. Ruhge, "Goleta gained nationwide fame and recognition through the production of lemons. Along with the walnut, this piece of fruit brought the Goleta rancher far-flung notoriety."

The climate and soil in Goleta were good for the production of lemons, which were not indigenous to the cattle ranching area. In 1874 Sherman P. Stow began the first commercial planting of lemons on 30 acres of ranch land. The lemons from this first orchard, which bore fruit until 1938, were processed and shipped under the Mission brand label.

Goleta's lemon business grew and prospered. Most growers marketed crops through the Johnston Fruit Company, founded in 1897, until 1935. At that time, the independent cooperative organization, Goleta Lemon Association, was formed and shipped lemons all over the world until 1976. The Santa Barbara Lemon Association operated until 1986 when the lemon packing business in the Goleta Valley ended.

Click here to see the Channel Lemon label at Oobydooby.com.

Click here to read the complete Lemons Are Goleta article.