California’s Citrus Heritage

About the Collection

This collection of California citrus crate labels was assembled over many years by David Gerald Kelley (1928–2025), a lifelong citrus rancher and advocate for California agriculture.

David Kelley had a deep appreciation for the artistry and history behind California citrus culture. Over decades, he carefully collected original crate labels from packing houses and orchards across the state, preserving pieces of agricultural and commercial art that might otherwise have been lost with time.

The labels reflect more than advertising, they document a visual history of California itself: its growers, communities, landscapes, topography, and optimistic identity during the height of the citrus industry.

After David’s passing, the collection was entrusted to his son, Ken Kelley, who later passed it down to me. This website was created to preserve and share the archive more broadly, and to make these pieces of California history accessible for others to study and enjoy.

First generation farmer David H. Kelley, my great grandfather, posing with his two sons. Circa 1930.
First generation farmer David H. Kelley, my great grandfather, posing with his two sons. Circa 1930.

About Bautista Creek Ranches

Bautista Creek Ranches is a family-run farm in Hemet, California, with roots dating back to 1930, when David Hopkins Kelley purchased the property and planted its first white grapefruit orchard. One of those original trees still stands on the ranch today.

Over the decades, the ranch evolved alongside California agriculture. David Kelley and his brother expanded the orchards, and in 1985 the family launched Bautista Creek Ranches as a citrus tree nursery that operated for more than thirty years. For decades, Ken Kelley has led the ranch through changing seasons of California farming, carrying the family legacy forward while adapting to new challenges, crops, local markets, and community partnerships.

Today, Bautista Creek Ranches serves as the steward of this collection and the broader effort to preserve and share California citrus history. The ranch continues to represent the same values that shaped it across generations: stewardship of the land, adaptability, hard work, and a deep connection to California agriculture and community.

Acknowledgements