J.F. Pyle Cannery
| Business |
Dried Fruit Packer |
|---|---|
| Main Location |
San Jose |
| Active |
< 1901 - 1923 |
| Aliases |
J.F. Pyle and Son |
| Successors |
Barron-Gray Packing Company |
The J. F. Pyle Cannery was an early San Jose canner. Pyle was a San Jose orchardist with land on King Road at Maybury Road in Berryessa, at other sites on the east side of the valley[1]. The principal behind the cannery was John Francis Pyle, with assistance from his sons Harry and Frank. Pyle was growing tomatoes on land near Story and McLaughlin, and also had apple and other fruit orchards in Watsonville and Pacheco Pass. When one year's tomato crop was not purchased by a local cannery, Pyle decided to try canning his own tomatoes, and began the business[2]. The company operated at the farm until 1907, when they moved to a plant at Martha and Fifth.
Western Canner and Packer described a large addition to their cannery planned in 1918, probably the former Figprune Cereal Co. plant[3]. In 1922, 300 people worked there during the season. The manager in 1922 was Harry Pyle[4], and superintendent was E. G. Pyle. They started construction of a new building at Fourth and Margaret in 1922, encouraged by a large tomato pack the previous year[5].
John Francis Pyle died on July 8, 1921[6]. The company was sold to Barron Gray in early 1923[7]. The Pyle family retained the labels and brands. The plant eventually became the Dole cannery.
Locations
| Location | Years | Address | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose | 1901, 1902, 1904 | King Road at Mabury Road[8] | |
| San Jose | 1906, 1923, 1924 | Martha and Fifth St |
Sold to Barron Gray |
| San Jose | 1907, 1922 | Fourth and Martha |
Northeast corner. |
References
- ↑ January 29, 1902 Evening News
- ↑ Pyle Plant of Interesting Pioneer Origin: July 25, 1919 San Jose Evening News
- ↑ Pyle Plant of Interesting Pioneer Origin: July 25, 1919 San Jose Evening News
- ↑ Berryessa: Eugene T. Sawyer, History of Santa Clara County, California, 1922, Historic Record Co.
- ↑ Pyle Cannery to Build Extension: February 12, 1919 San Jose Evening News
- ↑ One of San Jose's Pioneer Canners Passes Away: July 16, 1921 California Fruit News
- ↑ Northern California Canneries: March 1923 Western Canner and Packer
- ↑ 1901 San Jose City Directory