Harris, thanks for this article. That pinpoints a date for some early businesses for this area. We know this flourished in Peach County, but it sounds like it was also in our counties. I know the railroad was significant as well.... and some communities grew up around the peach industry. But we need to learn more about this and put it on-line. This is a later article and mentions another Fruit Company (Stewart Fruit Co).... and this is in the Town of Bonita (Location: 3.5 miles w.of Reynolds and 5.5 mile e. of Butler at the crossing of the Central R.R. by the dirt road between the two towns.) ============== (Taken from the Butler Herald, Tuesday, May 26, 1908) Dear "Herald": I here and now make my bow to the readers of the Herald and hope to be welcomed into the ranks of correspondence of your worthy sheet. Bonita, meaning pretty in Spanish, is the name given to the new station on the Central railroad three and a half miles west of Reynolds and five and a half miles east of Butler at the crossing of the Central R.R. by the dirt road between the two towns. We are splendidly situated on the highest tableland between Macon and Columbus surrounded by forty thousand splendid peach trees, twenty thousand full of beautiful Carmen and Elberta peaches. We have just finished a large packing house and put in the best side track on the road. We expect to ship fifteen or twenty cars of luscious peaches this season, giving work to a great number of people. We have arrangements to care for a large crowd. Also will put in a cannery to care for all fruit too ripe to ship and we would be glad to have all the help possible to handle the crop. Mr. Howard Eubanks, the manager is up to his ears in business, but always takes time to say a pleasant work or give any information about Bonito. Bonito is contemplating the erection of a large free school building to be known as the Bonito Male and Female Academy. We would be glad if some merchant would open a general store at Bonito to accomodate the large trade at this point. Free house rent will be given to the right party. A blacksmith would do well at Bonito as it is surrounded by large and prosperous farmers. Messrs. A.B. POSEY, JUD WILSON, P.B. HORTON, ASA PARKS, and ARTHUR WILSON were busy last week completing the new packing house; GUS WILSON acting as overseer. Mr. DAVID STEWART, of Baltimore, was in our midst last Friday looking after the interest of his house, the Stewart Fruit Co. For the next few months our payroll will not be as heavy as Andrew Carnegie's. We extend a cordial invitation to all the churches to make Bonito the picnic center. We have three splendid springs, three wells with the finest, coolest most sparkling, health giving water to be found in Georgia. Grand old shade trees, a large roomy packing house that can be used for protection against rain or storms, for table spreads; etc. and above all the warm welcome. We are anxious to secure a good gin and will aid any party wishing to erect one. "Sallie-Mander" >The Schley County News Thursday, June 13th 1895 > >The Butler Fruit and Land Company have made arrangements for canning and >drying the large quantities of fruits now ripening. The enterprise will >put in circulation a large amount of money and prove profitable business >for our neighbors. > > >==== GATAYLOR Mailing List ==== >Visit and contribute to the GA Archives page >http://www.rootsweb.net/~usgenweb/ga