Barron-Gray Packing Company

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Summary
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.

Map of site in 1948