Signed Print - Before the Big Freeze
This is the second painting in my Vintage Florida Series. The original painting is a 22X28 acrylic. This reprint is 8X10, matted size is 11X14 and is signed. The description of the historic site is mounted to the back of the matted print. 8X10 reprints are also available. After visiting OLD FLORIDA on Facebook and showing my 4 Miles to Citra painting to the groups members, I asked for suggestions on historic Florida sites. Things that remind us of visiting our grandparents and hearing stories of what it was like when... One of the members suggested this site which was a perfect partner to my other painting. The Strawn Historic Citrus Packing Plant in Volusia county was in operation from 1882 (rebuilt in 1921 after a fire) and finally closed down in 1983 because of the destructive Christmas freeze of 1983 that rocked the Central and North Florida Citrus industry. The original owner, Theodore Strawn moved to West Volusia County from Illinois and began this institution. His grandson, John Strawn remembered the freeze as the year the orange trees were killed down to the stump. In 1993, what is left of the packing plant was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. Even in its dilapidated condition it highlights the early importance of the citrus industry in our fair state. In 2007 The Florida Trust for Historic Preservation added it to the list of Florida's Eleven Most Endangered Historic Sites.
This painting, reimagined from a historic photo taken in the Packing House's heyday in the early 20th century depicts a visitor looking from an orange grove and watching the busy activity as packing house workers load their trucks in preparation to deliver their orange bounty.