Monterey in Monterey County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Local Railway Led the Way to America's Salad Bowl.
Photographed By Denise Boose, March 6, 2015
1. Local Railway Led the Way to America's Salad Bowl. Marker
Inscription.
Local Railway Led the Way to America's Salad Bowl.. . The Railroad was critical to the development of the Salinas Valley's agriculture industry. As depicted in John Steinbeck's East of Eden, the advent of refrigerated rail meant that lettuce grown in the Salinas Valley could be transported coast to coast earning Salinas Valley the moniker "America's Salad Bowl.", The earliest rail cars used ice for cooling. Large wood crates were loaded into box cars and packed with ice, hence crisp head lettuce became known as "Iceberg Lettuce.", In the 1950's, Bud Antle revolutionized the lettuce industry with vaccum cooling and corrugated cartons. Lettuce could then be field packed and vacuum cooled for freshness. The corrugated boxes were then loaded into mechanically refrigerated box cars eliminating the need for ice, vastly improving the lettuce quality which triggered the demand for Salinas Valley produce thoughout America.
The Railroad was critical to the development of the Salinas Valley's agriculture industry. As depicted in John Steinbeck's East of Eden, the advent of refrigerated rail meant that lettuce grown in the Salinas Valley could be transported coast to coast earning Salinas Valley the moniker "America's Salad Bowl."
The earliest rail cars used ice for cooling. Large wood crates were loaded into box cars and packed with ice, hence crisp head lettuce became known as "Iceberg Lettuce."
In the 1950's, Bud Antle revolutionized the lettuce industry with vaccum cooling and corrugated cartons. Lettuce could then be field packed and vacuum cooled for freshness. The corrugated boxes were then loaded into mechanically refrigerated box cars eliminating the need for ice, vastly improving the lettuce quality which triggered the demand for Salinas Valley produce thoughout America.
Location. 36° 36.071′ N, 121° 53.487′ W. Marker is in Monterey, California, in Monterey County. Marker is on Figueroa Street, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 290 Figueroa Street, Monterey CA 93940, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance
2. Local Railway Led the Way to America's Salad Bowl. Marker - Wide View
Photographed By Denise Boose, March 6, 2015
3. Local Railway Led the Way to America's Salad Bowl. Marker
Photographed By Denise Boose, March 6, 2015
4. Local Railway Led the Way to America's Salad Bowl. Marker
Photographed By Denise Boose, March 6, 2015
5. Local Railway Led the Way to America's Salad Bowl. Marker
Photographed By Denise Boose, March 6, 2015
6. Antique produce truck.
Photographed By Denise Boose, March 6, 2015
7. Monterey's historic depot, now called "The Wharf Marketplace"
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on May 16, 2015, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. This page has been viewed 476 times since then and 10 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on May 16, 2015, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.