Vintage California Fruit Exchange Crate Side/Sign

A blast from the past, this rustic piece from the California Fruit Exchange is a wonderful reminder of days gone by in California history. The California Fruit Exchange started in 1893 under the name, Southern California Fruit Exchange, in Claremont, California by P. J. Dreher and his son, Edward Dreher. In 1905, it was renamed the California Fruit Growers Exchange, as it represented 45% of the California citrus industry. Finally, in 1952, its name was changed to Sunkist Growers, Inc. The sign measures 13.5 inches x 5.75 inches and is .5 inches deep. It reads, “California Fruit Exchange, United States of America”. Some of the stamped lettering, which has been stamped onto the wood in blue, is faded, i.e., the “A” on the end of “California”, the “E” on the end of “Exchange”, and the “C” in the word “Exchange”. This piece of wood must have come from the side of an early crate, as there are tiny holes along all the edges. The stamped name indicates that the original crate was made after 1905, when the name was changed for the first time. How great this piece would look in a country kitchen, just above a sumptuous bowl of fresh California fruit!