Sweet Heritage: How Koshkonong, Brandsville, and Pomona Sparked Southern Missouri’s Ag Boom.

When the smoke of the Civil War finally cleared over the rolling hills of Southern Missouri, the landscape was scarred, but the hearts of the people were brimming with hope. The nation had been torn apart by conflict, and in its wake, communities in the Ozarks, like so many across the country, yearned for progress and prosperity. The war had left its marks on both the land and the spirit of the people, but it also ignited a hunger for something new—something that could rebuild the economy, offer steady work, and give hope to families once again. And in the fertile soil of Southern Missouri, that hope came in the form of orchards.

The choice to embrace orchard-growing, particularly peach cultivation, was no accident. It was a natural extension of the agricultural tradition that had always been the backbone of the Ozarks, combined with the spirit of progress that the post-war era called for. Settlers and farmers, many of whom were new to the area, saw the potential for commercial fruit-growing, and so, in the late 1800s, they began to clear the land and plant their first peach trees, nurturing a vision of Southern Missouri as a thriving agricultural hub!

At the heart of this blossoming industry was a trio of small towns, Koshkonong, Brandsville and Pomona. They would eventually be known as the Peach District, a stretch of Southern Missouri region that ran along the Frisco Railroad from Pomona to Thayer, about 40 miles in length, with orchards spread out across Howell and Oregon counties. In a time when the railroads connected the rural heartland to distant cities, it made perfect sense that this fertile region would soon become known for its peach orchards. Pomona, a name that harkens back to the Roman goddess of fruit and abundance, was a fitting namesake for a town that would come to symbolize this new chapter of prosperity. Just like the goddess of plenty, Pomona, Missouri, became a beacon of agricultural richness—its' peach trees were as much a symbol of renewal as the town’s very name.

(Courtesy: Wehmer)

With sun on their backs and determination in their hands, laborers from near and far picked peaches by the bushel—driven by pride, purpose, and the dream of a better harvest each day.

The Rise of a Fruitful Industry

By the 1890s, what began as a few orchards for personal consumption had blossomed into a booming industry. The Koshkonong, Brandsville and Pomona Peach District flourished under the care of farmers who had turned the rich soil into an orchard paradise. By 1913, more than 8,000 acres in the district were producing fruit-bearing peach trees, with an additional 10,000 acres of young orchards being nurtured. The industry had come a long way in just a few short decades!

The success of the peach industry wasn’t just about the bountiful harvests; it was about the hope that the peaches represented—hope for the future, hope for family farms, and hope for a renewed sense of community. Farmers in this District weren't just growing peaches; they were growing a new way of life. As the years passed, the trees began to produce fruit, and the land began to pay back the labor that had been invested in it.

The Elberta peach, the most commonly grown variety, became the heart and soul of the Peach District’s production. With its sweet, juicy flesh and vibrant color, it was the perfect fruit for both local consumption and long-distance shipping. By 1913, the Koshkonong, Brandsville and Pomona Peach Growers Association, an organization that helped manage the shipping and marketing of the peaches, was overseeing the shipment of 398 carloads of peaches. Shipments were sent from the orchards of the Ozarks to the bustling cities of the North—Boston, New York, and beyond.

(Courtesy: Google)

Elberta peaches are known for their large, juicy, yellow fruit with a red blush, which are ideal for fresh eating, canning, freezing, and jam making. They are also self-fertile but benefit from planting in multiples for a better crop. This and more made them a perfect choice for Southern Missouri Farmers. 

The Harvest: A Community Affair

The peach-growing industry in Southern Missouri wasn’t just about the land—it was about the people. Harvest time was a community event, drawing workers from across the region and beyond. Every summer, an “army” of pickers would flock to the orchards, eager to work and make their earnings. Many came by train or wagon, and after the day’s work was done, they would gather in the small towns like Koshkonong, seeking a bit of amusement in a world that was simple yet full of life.

Despite the lack of fancy entertainment, hard working country folk found joy in their shared experiences. A traveling theatrical show, games of mumbley-peg, or a friendly game of horseshoe pitching in the evenings brought moments of light to the hardworking days. It was a time when the pace of life slowed down, and the bonds of community grew stronger with every peach harvested.

The pay for these orchard workers, while modest, was an essential lifeline. In the early 1900s, laborers typically earned about $1 to $2 per day for their hard work, which could translate to roughly $30 to $50 a month during the busy harvest season. Some experienced workers or those who handled multiple tasks, like both picking and packing, could earn a little more. Many workers, particularly those who traveled from out of town, were also provided with board and lodging, either included in their pay or at a small cost, making it possible for families to earn a living during the summer months. Despite the tough nature of the work, these wages helped to support countless families, reinforcing the critical role of orchards in the Peach District's economy.

(Courtesy: Missouri Archives)

At the turn of the 20th century in America, farm labor was characterized by a significant reliance on manual labor and animal power, with a large percentage of the population engaged in agriculture. The average life expectancy of a farmworker was relatively low, and child labor was common.

(Courtesy: Missouri Archives)

Turns out, about 1 million children age 10 to 15 were working in America in the 1900's. About half worked on family farms and agriculture industries, including peach production and harvest. The rest did everything else, working in factories, trained as apprentices, and served as messengers.

Winds of Change Would Soon Blow

For the farmers of Southern Missouri, there was an unforeseen challenge on the horizon—one that had nothing to do with the weather, their work ethic, or their ability to grow crops. It was something far larger, a force that would disrupt not only their fruit harvest but the entire agricultural landscape of the Peach District and beyond. For quite some time, railroad companies had been grumbling about paying much more than they wanted for labor and the hard-working men of the railroad saw it differently. In 1922, complete disagreement ushered in a nationwide workers strike, known as the Shopmen's Strike, that ultimately would disrupt and send a shockwave through the entire Peach District's orchards. A "perfect storm" had rolled in! The timing of the strike clashed with the local peach harvest, leaving shippers struggling to move their crops. The strike also affected other local industries, as rail lines, crucial for transporting cream, eggs, and livestock, ground to a halt.

(Courtesy: Missouri Archives)

The 1922 Shopmen's Strike, also known as the Great Railroad Strike, was largely considered unsuccessful in achieving its primary goals. While it led to some long-term changes in labor relations, the strike itself was broken by the Harding administration, and many workers lost their jobs and seniority as a result. 

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The Shopmen's Strike was triggered by a national effort to reduce wages for railroad workers. Over 400,000 shopmen and maintenance workers, who were targeted for wage cuts, walked out of their jobs, halting the normal operations of the railroads far and wide. 

According to a report from the West Plains Journal on August 10, 1922, the peach season in the towns of Koshkonong, Brandsville and Pomona districts concluded with 201 carloads of fruit being shipped out. However, the strike created serious challenges for the shippers. Despite these obstacles, the peaches were distributed widely, reaching markets as distant as South Dakota, Tampa, Florida, and Boston. The railroads, however, only accepted shipments under the condition that the owners bore the risk if delays occurred due to the ongoing strike. This uncertainty led to fewer buyers showing interest. Normally, there would be up to 30 buyers in the area, but only two appeared this year, and their purchases were limited and risky. A significant portion of the crop was sent on consignment, with no shipment arriving as scheduled. In fact, cars that were supposed to leave on August 1 didn’t depart St. Louis until August 4, a huge challenge for fresh picked peaches that were on a tegious timeline for decay.

The peach growers found themselves in a tough situation. Despite putting in long hours and producing top-quality fruit, they couldn’t get their harvest to market in time, and the peaches arrived in poor condition. Many of the cars they used were unsuitable for loading, and there was even a shortage of available cars at one point. As a result, some cars were overfilled, while others failed to maintain proper refrigeration. To mitigate the problem, express refrigerated cars were used, under the belief that they would reach their destinations faster than standard freight.

(Courtesy: Missouri Archives)

In the shadow of the barn and harder times—these families bore the weight of the 1922 Shopmen’s Strike, as stalled trains left peaches to rot and livelihoods to wither.