APRICOT LANE

We visited a local historical park looking for interesting photographs.
We were the only people there, so we were free to explore without social distancing issues.  No masks required when alone.

Our county has many acres dedicated to agriculture with crops like strawberries, avocados & lemons.  On our visit we were surprised to  learn many years ago this area grew 44,000 acres of APRICOTS, which were washed, sorted in this shed & then dried, & shipped "back East."  In fact, in 1926 there were more apricot trees growing in Southern California, than there are in the entire US, today.  At that time an apricot was considered an exotic fruit, & in high demand.

APRICOTS are a notoriously difficult fruit to grow, have a very short shelf life & are difficult to transport.  That must we why, by the 1950's there were only a few hundred acres in production.  And why I have never seen an apricot tree growing anywhere in this area. In fact there may only be  20 acres of 85 year old trees still growing in our county.    

This shed & the mural depict an agricultural community that is long gone.
Next February I am going to take a drive down Apricot Lane & see if any trees are blooming.  There must be at least 1 tree left in our town.