Through vivid colors and bold type they tell the history of California’s “Second Gold Rush” - the rise of the citrus industry that comprised an integral part of the state’s history and economy from the 1880s through the middle of the last century.
“They” are the highly decorative labels that graced the boxes of citrus produce shipped from California to all corners of the nation, and they are among the items displayed in “Citrus: California’s Golden Dream,” a new exhibit opening Saturday, Dec. 17, at the award-winning Fullerton Museum Center.
An opening reception for the exhibit will be held from 6-9 p.m. on the 17th, and will feature tours of the exhibit, a curator’s talk, refreshments and live entertainment.
Few developments helped spark the growth of young Orange County communities such as Fullerton as the citrus industry. A key player in that growth was Charles Chapman, Fullerton’s first mayor, who revolutionized the citrus industry in the 1890s by championing the cause of the Valencia orange. Because of its keeping qualities and late ripening period, the Valencia proved an ideal summer orange.
Farmers throughout the area copied Chapman's lead and agriculture quickly became the new community's leading industry, with Fullerton packing houses shipping as much as $15 million in citrus crops in banner years. At one time, Fullerton boasted of having more orange groves than any other Orange County city. Today, however, it is estimated fewer than 50 acres of groves remain in the city.
“Citrus: California’s Golden Dream,” produced by the Museum Center staff, will feature an array of fruit labels, historical books, maps, postcards, farm machinery, packing crates and other citrus industry memorabilia.
Items on loan for the exhibit come from such organizations as the California Citrus State Historic Park, Fullerton Arboretum, the Bowers Museum of Cultural Arts and the Homestead Museum, as well as from individuals including Gordon McClelland and local businessmen Mike Ritto and Jack Franklyn.
The exhibit will run through March 25.
Admission to the opening reception will be $10 for the general public and free to museum members.
The Fullerton Museum Center is located at 301 N. Pomona Ave., east of Harbor Blvd., in downtown Fullerton. Hours are noon-4 p.m. Tuesday-Wednesday and Friday-Sunday, and noon-8 p.m. Thursday.
Museum admission is $4 for adults, $3 for students with student identification and senior citizens 65 and older, $1 for children 6 to 12, and free to children under 5 and to members of the Fullerton Museum Center. Admission is $2 for all visitors from 4-8 p.m. the first Thursday of each month.
Further information about exhibit or related programs may be obtained by calling the Fullerton Museum Center at (714) 738-6545.
Persons requiring special accommodations to view the exhibit or attend the exhibit preview are asked to notify the museum staff prior to coming to the Fullerton Museum Center.
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