Citrus Industry History: Did You Know?
Source: Citrus grove after freeze | Florida Memory
The area where the Florida Citrus Industry currently started its groves was much further north than where it is located today. Back in the 1890s, oranges and other citrus fruits were being grown in North Florida and in the Panhandle. But due to a number of very strong freeze events during the winter months over the last century, the industry has move further and further south.
Here are the dates of some of the significant freezes that impacted the orange groves:
- December 1894
- February 1899
- December 1934
- January 1940
- December 1962
- January 1977
- January 1981
- January 1982
- December 1983
- January 1985
- December 1989
- January 1997