Click on the image for a larger view of the photo

Click on the image for a larger view of the photo.
Pony reefers were wooden crates used to ship the fruit. Ice was packed between the crate and the baskets of fruit to keep the fruit cool during transport.
Harvesting time in the field hasn't changed much over the years. Strawberries are hand picked and packed in the field, then sent to the packing shed to be prepared for transport to markets.
Springhead, Florida was the site of the first strawberry research facility. When the site was moved in the 1960's to Dover, the original site was turned into a county park.
The only means of transporting strawberries to markets up north was on the railroad. Farmers brought their fruit packed and ready to go to refrigerated train cars.
Dr. A.N. Brooks was the first researcher at the Strawberry Lab. He was assisted by one employee, George Strickland.