The Time Was Ripe for a Grower Exhibit

Had there been any doubt what the “orange” in Orange County stood for, it was dispelled when the self-described “greatest attraction ever staged in Orange County” premiered in Anaheim on May 17, 1921.

The weeklong exhibition inside and around a huge tent was called the California Valencia Orange Show, but it was a local production held in the north of Anaheim, now the site of La Palma Park.

All displays were constructed of local Valencia oranges. The first sweepstakes winner, from the Blue Goose brand, is shown above.

Growers went all out. Each year the displays became more elaborate, conforming to exotic themes such as ancient Egypt, Aladdin’s lamp and Robinson Crusoe. In 1927, more than $15,000 worth of oranges were sacrificed to art, or at least to public relations.

The show folded its tent after a decade, but the local orange industry’s best days still lay ahead. In 1943, the peak year, Orange County had 65,000 acres of groves and 45 packing houses.

When Disneyland opened in 1955, it was surrounded by orange groves. Today Disneyland could surround the orange groves left in Orange County. Last year development had obliterated all but 188 acres, all in small, scattered parcels. Villa Park Orchards, the last packer in Orange County, believes there are even fewer acres today.

And the closest thing to an orange show is a lone Valencia orange tree, above, that once a year becomes a small part of the Orange County Fair.

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OC Then and Now calls, (714) 966-5973; e-mail OCthenandnow @latimes.com.