California’s Second Gold Rush: The Rise of the Citrus Industry

Presented by the Sierra Madre Historical Preservation Society, local resident Joe Feeney will highlight the advent of the citrus industry in California, also known as the Second Gold Rush.

The citrus industry generated billions of dollars of commerce. At one time, Los Angeles County was the biggest agricultural producer (in dollar value) in the United States.

It was the citrus industry that established the infrastructure that allowed for the expansion of the population in Southern California after WWII.

This illustrated lecture will include slides and objects such as assorted harvesting bags and boxes and advertising.