RO-E-Gains Citrus Stamp Collection, 1938
Collection context
Summary
- Extent:
- 0.08333 Linear Feet 1 envelope containing the stamp is maintained in the control folder
- Language:
- English
Background
- Scope and content:
This collection contains one (1) advertising stamp measuring 1"x.5" and which is dated 1938.
- Biographical / historical:
The Ro-E-Gaines Fruit Company was formed by Frank Roper, G. J. (Jerry) Egan, and Dwight Gaines in 1936. They leased the A.C.L. (Atlantic Coast Line) Packing House in Clermont. Nine of the largest growers in the area were added to their board of directors and stockholders in 1938, and in 1943 they purchased the Clermont Citrus Growers Packing House and equipment which had been in receivership and began operating both packing houses. Jerry Egan was then president, Dwight and Clyde Gaines had charge of buying fruit and Albert Johnson was manager of both packing houses.
Ro-E-Gaines had two facilities in Clermont and the total boxes they shipped was 382,913 which was 9% of Lake County. In fact the Ro-E-Gaines houses were the second largest shipper of fresh citrus in 1938-1939. They were the largest shipper of tangerines in Lake County. In July 1945 a group of Postal Colony grove owners organized the Clermont Citrus Corporation and purchased the old Exchange Packing House (Ro-E-Gaines Plant No.2). The organizers and members of the board of directors were H. W. Blumenberg, O. H. Keene, Harry Hilton, Sam T. Phillips, C. H. Tegg, Clermont, and George Dickson of Waddington, N.Y.
In 1947 the American Fruit Growers, widely known as the Blue Goose Grove Operators, acquired the Ro-E-Gaines equipment and the A.C.L. Packing House lease. Orrin R. Ward was transferred from their Winter Park office as general field supervisor. In May 1961 they became known as Blue Goose Growers, Inc.
(Historical information provided via https://www.historyoflakecountycitrus.com/ and FSC Citrus Archives)
- Acquisition information:
- This item was purchased by the McKay Archives for a sum of $10.00 in December 2025.
- Rules or conventions:
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Access and use
- Restrictions:
This collection is open for research. Researchers must contact McKay Archives in advance for access to unprocessed born digital materials in this collection. Collection restrictions, copyright limitations, or technical complications may hinder the archives' ability to provide access to unprocessed born digital materials.
- Terms of access:
This collection is owned by Florida Southern College and is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).
- Location of this collection:
-
Florida Southern College111 Lake Hollingsworth Dr.LakelandFL33801USA
