Selma in Fresno County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Libby, McNeill and Libby Cannery
Photographed By Frank Vallejos, December 10, 2011
1. Libby, McNeill and Libby Cannery Marker
Marker is on the side of Selma Cold Storage near the corner of East Front and Park streets.
On this 6 1/4 acre site, Libby, McNeill and Libby opened the San Joaquin Valley's largest cannery on July 18, 1911, less than four hectic months after the site was acquired and construction plans were announced. The initial construction cost was 25,895.Attracted to Selma by many orchards of cling peaches and early success of a much smaller cannery a few blocks away on Whitson Street, Libby's grew quickly and a year later doubled its production capacity. In 1914, this large warehouse structure was constructed while other major improvements were made to the adjoining cannery along Center Street. Further expansion made Libby's one of California's largest canneries and southern Fresno County's biggest employer.
Thanks to Libby's, Selma in 1914 adopted its first community theme -- "Home of the Peach." Declining supplies of fruit, falling production and antiquated facilities led to the cannery's closure on September 24, 1971. The main cannery building was later demolished.
Erected 2011 by E Clampus Vitus, Jim Savage chapter 1852 and Stonecutter Lodge 437.
Topics and series. This historical
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Location. 36° 33.733′ N, 119° 36.383′ W. Marker is in Selma, California, in Fresno County. Marker is on East Front Street, 0.2 miles west of Park Street, on the left. Marker is on the small portion of brick wall that remains from the original cannery. To get to the marker, you park on Front Street and cross over the railroad tracks. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1326 East Front Street, Selma CA 93662, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Frank Dusy (approx. 0.4 miles away); Selma (approx. half a mile away); Groundwater Irrigation Beginnings (approx. 1.9 miles away); The History of the Town Kingsburg (approx. 4.4 miles away); Fred French (approx. 4˝ miles away); George Boyle (approx. 4˝ miles away); The Historic Kingsburg Jail (approx. 4˝ miles away); Fowler's Switch (approx. 6.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Selma.
More about this marker. Location is now known as Selma Cold Storage
Photographed By Lester J Letson, December 10, 2011
2. Selma Cold Storage building with marker showing in the middle
Originally built as the Libby Mcneill and Libby Cannery. This picture is taken from the intersection of Todd Street and Whitson.
Photographed By Frank Vallejos, December 10, 2011
3. Libby, McNeill and Libby Cannery Dedication ceremony
Members of E Clampus Vitus celebrating the dedication of the cannery marker.
Photographed By Lester J Letson, December 10, 2011
4. Original site of Libby, Mcneill and Libby
Picture taken showing the vacant lot where the offices used to sit, the functioning water tower originally built by Libby's is visible in this picture. The tower can be seen from downtown Selma.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on February 5, 2012, by Lester J Letson of Fresno, California. This page has been viewed 1,506 times since then and 44 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on February 5, 2012, by Lester J Letson of Fresno, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.
