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W.G. Roe and Sons Collection, 1930s-2020s

 

Summary

Extent:
1.12 Linear Feet 3 Standard Legal Boxes, 1 Flat Box, and two Large Books
Language:
English

Background

Scope and content:

This collection contains business records from the WG Roe and Sons company. These papers range from legal records to financial information, including transactions. There are blueprints and building records from their packing houses. This collection also contains fire protection information relating to inspections and sprinkler installation in the packing house. It also references the Moundgrove Fruit Company, an old citrus company from earlier in the 90s. In terms of more recent information, it contains collector's information for citrus labels and other collection items, as well as recent nominations and inductions into the Citrus Hall of Fame.

Biographical / historical:

Since 1910, the Roes have been in the business of providing customers with an exceptional citrus experience. From humble beginnings, four generations have built Noble into the business that it is today. William G. Roe, the founder of Noble, began a fresh fruit distributorship in upstate New York. Wanting to be closer to his network of suppliers, he moved his family to Florida and built a packing house next to the Seaboard Coastline Railroad (a common practice in those days). It was at this time his sons, Frederick and Willard, began planting citrus groves, focusing specifically on tangerines. In fact, the first tangerine trees planted were the Dancey. In 1927, the "Noble®" name was registered and thus began the packing of only the best tangerines. (Taken from WG Roe and Sons official LinkedIn Profile: Wm. G. Roe & Sons, Inc.: Overview | LinkedIn)

Acquisition information:
This collection was donated to the McKay Archives by Bill Roe in 2026.

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 College
111 Lake Hollingsworth Dr.
Lakeland
FL
33801
USA