Schooner Lemon Crate Label

Back to Goleta Valley and the Goleta Lemon Association for this vintage circa 1930s lemon crate label. Featuring a great image of a schooner at sea, this crate label for Schooner Brand, famous Santa Barbara lemons from Goleta Lemon Association, Goleta, California, was printed by Schmidt Litho Co., Los Angeles. The label measures approximately 10.75 x 8.5 inches. The colors are beautiful on a dark background with deep red border and red and white lettering.

I've discussed Goleta in previous posts but here's a little more information.

Goleta Lemon Association
The Goleta Lemon Association began in the late 1800s with less than 700 acres and grew to eventually include more than 2500 acres, about three-fourths of the valley's crops. In 1936 the Association built a million-dollar packing plant and in June of that year sent their first shipment of lemons, wrapped in yellow or white tissue paper called onion skins, to the Chicago market. The then famous Santa Barbara County lemons sold for $9.20 to $9.60 per box, a high price during the Depression years.

In the 1950s a fire destroyed the land and storage facilities, costing the Association $1.5 million. The Association was able to raise the money needed to restart operations and they continued until 1976 when they were purchased by interests in the Central Valley and later sold to the Santa Barbara Lemon Association which operated until 1986.

California Lemon Festival
Lemons are such a large and inherent part of the history of Goleta, it was inevitable that they be celebrated. For the past 14 years the Lemon Festival has been the biggest celebration in the Goleta Valley. If you would like to join the celebration, which includes "sumptuous lemon food, fantastic family atmosphere, a cornucopia of entertainment and activities, and their famous pie-eating contests," just head to Girsh Park in Goleta, October 21 & 22, 2006 for the 15th Annual Lemon Festival. Seriously, for more information on the lemon festival, go to http://www.lemonfestival.com/.

Purchase this Schooner Brand Lemon Crate label or visit Oobydooby.com to view or purchase several Goleta Valley Lemon Crate Labels.