Lafayette in Tippecanoe County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

A Tribute to Joe Rumpza - The Vegetable King

1922 - 2002

Photographed By Courtesy:: Marilyn Wolf, August 8, 2010

1. A Tribute to Joe Rumpza - The Vegetable King Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

Potatoes, tomatoes, pumpkins and greens,
sumptuous sweet-corn, all sorts of beans,
cantaloupe, honeydew, name any melon,
planted then ripened, soon ready for sellin’.

What sort of hard-workin’ son-of-gun
could get things to market, get the job done?
Joe Rumpza! Joe Rumpza! A name known to all.
The Farmers Market Farmer...Spring, Summer and Fall.

So, here’s to Joe Rumpza, a Tippecanoe Treasure!
Golden harvest with a fresh breath of Spring!
The joys that he brought were his and our pleasure!
Toast Joe Rumpza - The Vegetable King !!!
Brent Clary 12/02/2002

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Industry & Commerce.

Location. 40° 25.099′ N, 86° 53.517′ W. Marker is in Lafayette, Indiana, in Tippecanoe County. Marker is at the intersection of Columbia Street and North 5th Street, on the right when traveling west on Columbia Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Lafayette IN 47901, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Forty - Niners (about 300 feet away, measured

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in a direct line); 1825 Lafayette 1925 (about 400 feet away); General Lafayette - Fountain (about 400 feet away); To Commemorate The Wabash and Erie Canal (about 500 feet away); The Tippecanoe County Courthouse (about 600 feet away); The Red Crown Mini-Museum (about 600 feet away); Earl & Hatcher Block (about 700 feet away); Lincoln in Lafayette (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lafayette.

Additional commentary.
1. Recollections
When I was a little girl we stayed with my grandparents there in Lafayette, Indiana. My grandfathers name was Eriverto Guzman, my grandmothers name was Andrea O. Guzman. My grandfather worked for Mr. Rumpza for many years. I still remember we would go out to the field that was next to the house my grandparents were living in to pick the vegetables, then we would take them to the fruit and vegetable stand so they could be sold. I think Mr. Rumpza’s daughter, Kathy, lived next door in a white 2-story frame house, I still remember they had a big black bell mounted on a pole. There was a workshop

Full View - - A Tribute to Joe Rumpza - The Vegetable King Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Courtesy:: Marilyn Wolf, August 8, 2010

2. Full View - - A Tribute to Joe Rumpza - The Vegetable King Marker

next to my grandparents house where my grandpa would work if he wasn't picking the vegetables or taking them to the stand.I remember we would go down to the basement with my grandmother to get some preserved peaches. I have a lot more memories that of being there at my grandparents home.

— Submitted April 14, 2011, by Mae Yvonne Martinez of Weslaco, Texas.

Looking North - - A Tribute to Joe Rumpza - The Vegetable King Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Courtesy:: Marilyn Wolf, August 8, 2010

3. Looking North - - A Tribute to Joe Rumpza - The Vegetable King Marker

Long North View - - A Tribute to Joe Rumpza - The Vegetable King Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Courtesy:: Marilyn Wolf, August 8, 2010

4. Long North View - - A Tribute to Joe Rumpza - The Vegetable King Marker

"Preserve America" - Sign image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Courtesy:: Marilyn Wolf, August 8, 2010

5. "Preserve America" - Sign

Looking West - - A Tribute to Joe Rumpza - The Vegetable King Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Courtesy:: Marilyn Wolf, August 8, 2010

6. Looking West - - A Tribute to Joe Rumpza - The Vegetable King Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on November 19, 2019. It was originally submitted on August 9, 2010, by Al Wolf of Veedersburg, Indiana. This page has been viewed 987 times since then and 26 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on August 9, 2010, by Al Wolf of Veedersburg, Indiana. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.