Charles Chapman (mayor)

Charles Chapman was born in Macomb, Illinois on July 2, 1853.[1]

In 1894, Chapman moved from the Midwest to Los Angeles. There, he bought an orange grove in Placentia as a hobby; this was his first foray into the citrus business. Chapman's innovation in regards to oranges contributed to his success in the industry. He had his workers wear gloves and use rounded-tipped clippers to prevent damage to the fruits' rinds, thus reducing the likelihood of spoilage. His innovations mad him successful within the citrus industry, and he was nicknamed the "Orange King".

Concerned as to how his product would compete with European oranges from Spain and Italy, in 1906 he and other citrus growers successfully lobbied the House Ways and Means Committee for a one-cent-per-pound tariff on European oranges.[2]

Chapman found that Valencia oranges could be left on the trees for an extra six months after ripening. This allowed him to ship oranges to customers in months that were previously thought to be out of season for oranges. This was in contrast to the more famous Washington navel oranges that dominated the citrus business at the time.[2] Valencia oranges grown in Orange County, at one time, made more profit than the oranges of any other location.[3]

While growing his business, Chapman experimented with different types of fertilizers to see which ones would yield the best orange crops. While Chapman was unsure about a fertilizer's ability to create better oranges than the more traditional method of growing oranges (i.e., plowing, irrigation, cultivation), he vowed to experiment with giving his oranges "plant food." He tested several different fertilizers: sheep manure, lime cake, bone meal, commercial fertilizers, and a combination of each. He found that there were no discernible quality differences between oranges in fertilized orchards versus traditional methods. He attributed these results to sufficient nutrients already being present in the soil, paired with proper farming techniques.[4]

Chapman firmly believed that the marketing of oranges should begin as soon as they were taken off the tree. In the packing houses, the oranges would be clean and handled properly, as too much fruit had been arriving in the markets in poor condition. According to Chapman, shipments sent to the markets should include only the very best oranges. Chapman also thought that orange brands should build up their reputations and establish trade in specific markets. instead of pandering to many different markets, as brand loyalty mattered significantly. He also believed in creating demand for oranges by advertising them as delicious, healthful items of luxury.[5] In addition to this, Chapman built his brand's popularity through his impressive crate label design. His "Old Mission" brand oranges' crate labels borrowed their name and imagery of Catholic monks and outdoor scenery from a famous novel at the time, Ramona by Helen Hunt Jackson.[2]