From the earliest arrival of Europeans in the California gold fields in the 1840s, fruit farming was a significant and profitable enterprise.  Much of this fruit was shipped to markets far away and, to aid in marketing, colorful lithographed fruit crate labels were created.

With the virtual demise of fruit farming in the region, these labels have become distant memories or highly desired collectible items.

A few of these labels are presented in this exhibit.  Most of these labels are more than 75 years old.

Credit: Labels from the personal collection of Gary Noy.