I had this question come in from Keith Jordan, one of the authors of
"Santa Fe Refrigerator Cars Ice Bunker Cars 1884-1979".

Can anyone shed light on Keith's question?

Thanks.

Bob Chaparro

Moderator

Citrus Industry Modeling Group

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/citrusmodeling/
<http://groups.yahoo.com/group/citrusmodeling/>

+++++

To All,

In Upland, California, I've noticed in some railroad documents that the
packing houses that were there had numbers. For instance, Upland Lemon
Growers plant No. 1 was referred to as "House 38," and Upland Citrus
Association (just to the west) was "House 40". Upland Lemon Growers
plant No. 2 was "House 2," and Mountain View Fruit Association was
"House 9," Upland Heights Orange Association (just west of Euclid Ave.
was "House 11."

I thought that maybe the numbers referred to the track numbers, ie,
"House 11" was house track number 11. I checked the Santa Fe's side
track record and none of the numbers match up. I do know that the term
"house" was a common one among railroaders, so that any business might
have been referred to as such, along with the type of work done there,
ie, a paint manufacturer would be a "paint house," or a bag making
concern might be a "bag house," etc.

I've given thought to the notion that maybe the exchanges/co-ops
numbered the plants. Does anybody know more about the packing house
nomenclature and/or the numbering?

Thanks for your help.

Keith