FAIR OAKS FRUIT COMPANY.

Sacramento County

Biographies

FAIR OAKS FRUIT COMPANY.

FAIR OAKS FRUIT COMPANY--Richly endowed by nature with fertility of soil, and abundance of water and salubrity of climate, Sacramento County has become famous for the production of citrus and deciduous fruits; and one of the leading agencies for the marketing of this commodity is the Fair Oaks Fruit Company. On February 25, 1901, a local co-operative association was formed under the name of the Fair Oaks Fruit Association, which ceased to function owing to the non-payment of assessments; and on November 2, 1902, the Fair Oaks Fruit Company was incorporated with an authorized capital of $25,000. It paid the debts of the old association, taking over its plant, which comprised a one-story building 30 by 50 feet in dimensions. The company now owns a large modern plant, supplied with steam equipment for sterilizing purposes and operated by electric and water power. The buildings now erected, not including the almond-bleaching warehouse, cover 44,000 square feet.

The olive-oil mill, which produces the San Juan brand of oil, is of reinforced concrete, and in it are installed the latest and most-improved types of machinery and equipment for work of this character. It has a capacity for crushing fifteen tons of raw olives daily, and particular attention is paid to sanitation, the oil being carefully protected at every stage in the process of manufacture. It is conducted through pipes to the settling vats, which are thoroughly coated with paraffin, and fitted with siphons so that the water is carried out, thus preventing the overflow of the oil. It is then sent by pipe-line to the curing cellar, where it precipitates matter held in suspension, and is next pumped to the filtering machine, supplied with fiber discs, afterward passing into a closed tank, from which it is weighed into cans and is then ready for the market. The oil is obtained from the flesh of ripe olives of choice and carefully selected varieties, and this careful selection accounts for the fine flavor and popularity of the San Juan brand. The processing houses have been doubled this year, and will again be doubled next year to meet demands of the new orchards and increase in crops. The orange house, with facilities for packing three carloads daily, is frequently taxed beyond its capacity; and the almond house adjoining, with its 5,000 feet of floor space, is used as a temporary storeroom.

The rush of crops commences in the latter part of August with almonds, and in 1922 about 200 tons were marketed through the Almond Exchange. This commodity is followed quickly by olives for shipment fresh and for canning, and at this time there are available for such purposes over 100,000 gallons. Before the processing of olives is over, the oranges are ready, all being usually shipped before the end of the year. Oil-making ends the busy season, generally in February or March. Approximately sixty people are employed in caring for the different crops. Local labor is used, and the earnings of the company as well as the wages of its employees are spent at home. This means much to Fair Oaks, and the industry is also of substantial benefit to Sacramento City and County. During the twenty years of its existence, the enterprise has enjoyed a continuous growth, and the little frame building valued at $1,000 has been replaced by a substantial, well-equipped plant worth in the neighborhood of $150,000. The success now attending the activities of the company is directly due to the untiring efforts and administration powers of W.W. Hinsey, secretary, treasurer, general manager and moving spirit of the enterprise.

Transcribed by: Jeanne Sturgis Taylor.

Source: Reed, G. Walter, History of Sacramento County, California With Biographical Sketches, Pages 599-600. Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, CA. 1923.