Collection processed by Don Walker and Leigh Johnsen
2012
San Joaquin County Historical Society
11793 North Micke Grove Road
Lodi, CA 95241
Phone: (209) 331-2055
Fax: (209) 331-2057
URL: http://www.sanjoaquinhistory.org/
Underhill (John P.) Collection, 1924-1967
Collection number: Ms39
San Joaquin County Historical Society
- Processed by:
- Don Walker and Leigh Johnsen
- Date Completed:
- 2012
- Encoded by:
- Leigh Johnsen
2012
San Joaquin County Historical Society. All rights reserved.
Descriptive Summary
Title: Underhill (John P.) Collection
Date: 1924-1967
Collection Number: Ms39
Location:
Erickson Vault
Extent:
.5 linear feet
Contributing Institution:
San Joaquin County Historical Society and Museum
11793 North Micke Grove Road
Lodi, CA 95240
Language of Material: Records written in English
Abstract: The Underhill Collection consists of scattered correspondence and minutes of the Stockton Potato Day Records Committee (1924,
1925); minutes of the San Joaquin County Farm Bureau Tomato Section meetings (1946-1947); copies of the Tomato Growers Association
Bulletin (1946-1958); a brief history of the establishment of the Cooperative Marketing Council in San Joaquin County (1946-1947);
an agenda and related items pertaining to the Cooperative Marketing Council's Cooperative Directors Conference (1956); and
the "Tomato Issue" of
Tideways magazine (1967).
Access Information
Collection is open for research by appointment.
Conditions of Use
The library can only claim physical ownership of the collection. Users are responsible for satisfying any claimants of literary
property.
Preferred citation: [Item name], John P. Underwood Collection, Ms39, San Joaquin County Historical Society and Museum, Lodi,
California.
Related Material
Title: Tillie Lewis Foods Collection,
Date (inclusive): 1935-1979 (Ms52)
Title: University of California Agricultural Cooperative Extension, San Joaquin County, Collection,
Date (inclusive): 1914-1994 (Ms82)
Historical Sketch
The San Joaquin River Delta peat lands were a major producer of potatoes from 1900 until about 1925. Two of the most prominent
of the Delta potato growers were Chin Lung and George Shima. The latter, the first Japanese American millionaire and head
of the Japanese Association of America, was known as the "Potato King." San Joaquin County potatoes were successful in eastern
markets because they could be harvested almost any time of year. After 1925, the Delta potato hegemony collapsed under pressure
from competition in southern California, Oregon, and Idaho. Due to the popularity of potatoes, local boosters conceived the
idea of a "Potato Day" (1924). This event was celebrated at the Kroyer Plant on Cherokee Lane with a carnival, displays, formal
ceremonies, and a dance. Starting in the 1930s, tomatoes became a far more important San Joaquin County crop. With irrigation,
tomatoes could be grown in many county locations and their cultivation was stimulated by successful food processors such as
the Flotill Corporation of Stockton, which specialized in pomodoro tomato canning, and the Heinz Company of Tracy, premier
ketchup manufacturers. John P. Underhill was assistant farm advisor (1946-1955) and director (1956-1975) of the University
of California Agricultural Extension Service in San Joaquin County. He collected these materials in the course of his work
with the potato and tomato growers of San Joaquin County.
Scope and Content
The Underhill Collection consists of scattered correspondence and minutes of the Stockton Potato Day Records Committee (1924-1945);
minutes of the San Joaquin County Farm Bureau Tomato Section meetings (1946-1947); copies of the Tomato Growers Association
Bulletin (1952-1958) and the State Tomato Section
Bulletin (1947-1951); copies of the San Joaquin County Farm Bureau Tomato Section
Bulletin (1946-1947); a brief history of the establishment of the Cooperative Marketing Council in San Joaquin County (ca. 1947);
an agenda and related items pertaining to the Cooperative Marketing Council's Cooperative Directors Conference (1956); and
the "Tomato Issue" of
Tideways magazine (1967).
Access Points
Personal Names
Adriance, J. Willis
Lewis, Tillie, 1904-1977
Lung, Chin
Shima, George, 1864-1926
Underhill, John P., 1908-2009
Subjects
Agriculture--California--San Joaquin County--History
Farm Bureau (San Joaquin County, Calif.)
Potato industry--California
San Joaquin County (Calif.)--History
Tomato industry--California
Folder 1
California Farm Bureau Federation, Correspondence.
Mar.-June 1947
Folder 2
California Farm Bureau Federation, State Tomato Section,
Bulletin.
Feb.-Sept. 1947
Folder 3
California Farm Bureau Federation, State Tomato Section,
Bulletin.
Feb. 1948-Dec. 1949
Folder 4
California Farm Bureau Federation, State Tomato Section,
Bulletin.
Jan. 1950-Dec. 1951
Folder 5
California Farm Bureau, Tomato Growers Association,
Bulletin.
Jan.-Dec. 1952
Folder 6
California Farm Bureau, Tomato Growers Association,
Bulletin.
Jan.-Dec. 1953
Folder 7
California Farm Bureau, Tomato Growers Association,
Bulletin.
Jan. 1954-Dec. 1955
Folder 8
California Farm Bureau, Tomato Growers Association,
Bulletin.
Jan. 1956-Jan. 1958
Folder 9
California Farm Bureau Tomato Section Meeting Minutes.
1946-1947
Folder 10
Cooperative Marketing Council in San Joaquin County, Directors Conference.
1956
Folder 11
Cooperative Marketing Council in San Joaquin County, History.
ca. 1947
Folder 12
Potato Records Committee, Correspondence.
1924-1945
Folder 13
Potato Records Committee, Meeting Minutes.
1924-1945
Folder 14
San Joaquin County Farm Bureau, Tomato Section,
Bulletin.
June 1946-Dec. 1947
Folder 15
Tideways (tomato issue).
1967
