Barron-Gray Packing Company
| Business |
Cannery |
|---|---|
| Main Location |
San Jose |
| Active |
1922-1948 |
| Brands |
Barron Gray, Grey Baron, Toyon, Santavalley |
Barron-Gray was a long-time canner in the San Jose area. Formed in 1922 by Ernest S. Barron and Herbert Gray, they bought the Pyle Cannery at Fourth and Keyes Street that year. Barron had been the sales manager for the Ainsley Cannery in Campbell.
The company was well-known for fruit cocktail, which probably led to its purchase in 1948 by Dole. Barron-Gray had already been doing significant packing for Dole.
Dole's employee newsletter tells more about the company.
Ernest's son, Bruce Barron, gave an interview in " The Lure of the Forests: Oral Histories from the National Forests in California where he notes that his father was a recent immigrant who'd come over from England in 1915 on the Lusitania.
Locations
| Location | Years | Address | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose | 1922, 1936 | 825 South Fifth Street |
Photos
Barron-Gray sign still visible on wall.
Details
Buying orchards in Lodi area around 1944.
Also see
video of plant in operation from 1950's.