Historic Fruits and Vegetables

The Survey of the Historic Fruit and Vegetable Industry in Muscatine County developed the historic contexts of one of Iowa’s most important truck-farming regions. The project focused on three areas with deep ties to the industry: Muscatine Island in Fruitland Township, Conesville in Orono Township, and Nichols in Pike Township. With the assistance of Muscatine County Historic Preservation Commission members, the survey combined archival research, photographic documentation, and reconnaissancelevel fieldwork to identify both extant and nonextant resources associated with the county’s fruit and vegetable history. The project was funded by a Certified Local Government (CLG) grant, reflecting its role in advancing local and statewide preservation goals.

The survey resulted in the identification of 20 historic resources: 13 in Fruitland Township, 6 in Orono Township, and 1 in Nichols. Of these, 10 were intensively surveyed and documented through Iowa Site Inventory Forms. The resources included farmsteads, research stations, roadside stands, weigh stations, and associated structures. Survey evaluations recommended several resources to be significant and potentially eligible for the National Register of Historic Places.

Below are links to the book, broken out by sections.  Interested parties can purchase the final report with details of each of the country schools and churches. Personal copies of the report that have been made into a book, are available for $20. Please contact Lynn Pruitt to purchase a copy. 

Part 1 - Survey of the Historic Fruit and Vegetable Industry of Muscatine County ReportPart 2 - Survey of the Historic Fruit and Vegetable Industry of Muscatine County Report