Strawberry Industry in Montpelier,  Tangipahoa and St. Helena Parish,
Louisiana
Submitted to the USGenWeb Archives by Inez Bridges Tate, Aug. 1998
File prepared by D.N. Pardue.

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>From publication "Old Montpelier, 1804, New Montpelier, 1904"
compiled by Inez B. Tate and published by St. Helena Historical
Association, 1993.  Reprinted with permission.

     Growing strawberries as a case crop in the Montpelier area

began about 1910 - 1912.  The boll weevil had effectively destroy-

ed cotton as the main case crop and with the rialroad conveniently

located here, strawberries were a good alternative.

     Producing strawberries was a year-long activity and as one

person aptly sais "It takes thirteen months to raise strawber-

ries."  As soon as the plants stopped producing berries, the straw

was removed and these plants kept free of grass to produce plants

for next year's crop.  The plants were set in November and pine

straw was raked and put around the plants in January and February.

This straw served both as a mulch and as a protection for the berries.

     When the berries began to ripen, the entire family was in-

volved.  Some picked and the berries were taken to a packing shed

where others graded and "packed" them for the market.  The Klon-

dyke was the variety most farmers grew.  When the picking was

finished for the day, the farmer took his berries to Montpelier

for sale.  There were several associations that handled the ber-

ries.  Those remembered are Montpelier Fruit Growers Association

(Mr. Tillery and Mr. W.I. Thompson), J.H. Morgan & Brother,

and another with Lee Harvell, J.M. Tate and Rob Wilson.  Farmers

had an unwritten contract with a local association who marketed

his berries through the auction at Hammond.  The farmer was sup-

plied fertilizer and other supplies.  The association received a

percentage for their services and the farmer paid his bill for

the year.

     At the peak of the berry season, as many as five refriger-

ated cars of strawberries would be shipped from Montpelier daily.

Five cars with 750 crates per car for a total of 3,750 crates or

7,500 flats or 90,000 pints or "cups" as they were sometimes

called.  Folks, that's a lot of strawberries!  Strawberries sold

for about $2.00 a crate.

     The roads leading into Montpelier would be "backed up" for

several blocks, filled with farmers bringing their berries to the

market.  As the berries were fragile, those farmers who did not

have springs on their wagon, would place their crates of berries

on old bed springs.  This protected the berries.

     All berries were inspected locally for quality, firmness and

"carrying" ability (shelf-life).  Those deemed as #1 received the

top price and berries of inferior quality sold for less.  Mr. Dan

Grantham inspected berries.  Edward Tate remembers that the in-

spector could turn a cup of berries upside down in his hand to

check the berries and the berries would retain the shape of the

cup and he would never lose a berry.

     With "strawberry season" came spin-off jobs that brought

extra cash into the local economy.  Edward Tate recalls that he

and his brother, Glenn made Strawberry crates at 1 cent per crate.

Merchants often hired extra workers.  Zula Tate Braud worked at

Spence's Store during this time.  Traveling entertainment found

its way into Montpelier, too.  Silent movies, a radio with extra

large reception - helps in the shape of horns and other carnival-

type entertainment came.

     To promote strawberry sales, Hammond held Strawberry Festi-

vals with the first on being held on May 22, 1925 with a parade

of over 80 decorated cars.  Representing Montpelier as a "beauti-

ful maid" was Frances George.

     In 1938 the Louisiana Farmers Protective Union urged each of

its units to supply a candidate for strawberry queen.  For the

first time, the Union assured the public, this queen would be a

farmer's daughter.  There were 35 contestants which attests to

the strength of the union as well as to the number of beauties in

the strawberry belt.

     From Montpelier: Una Mae Grantham.  She recalls that her

Mother had a white satin long dress made by a friend and the

event was held at the Casa de Fresa Hotel.  She still remembers

how frightened she was to "walk across the stage".

     Strawberries affected many activities.  Schools closed early

to accomodate the strawberry farmer.  Schools were in session

from July until late March so that the children could help with

the berry crop.

     With the end of the berry season, the farmers turned their

attention to other crops to sustain his family until "next berry

season".

     Strawberries continued to be grown in this area until the

late 1930's.  The railroad ceased to be, and the coming of World

War II brought an end to the growing of strawberries.  Farmers

began to grow snap beans for the market and to enter into dairy

farming.  Today no strawberries are grown for the market here,

but a few have a small plot "to eat and to share".
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