Monett was once ‘Strawberry Capitol of the World’

By Jessica Breger Special to the Monett Monthly

The city of Monett has become well known over the years as a railroad town, with the roundhouse and Harvey Hotel gaining notoriety; however, the month of May reminds some locals of what the train transported that truly put Monett on the map — strawberries.

While strawberry farms are not as ubiquitous in Barry County now, Monett was once boasted as the “Strawberry Capitol of the World.”

Strawberries were among the first commercial crops introduced in Southwest Missouri during the 1880s alongside the implementation of refrigerated produce carts on the Frisco Railroad.

With the Frisco Railroad and its refrigerated carts, combined with the Railway Ice Company, which produced approximately 160 tons of ice per day, Monett was uniquely equipped to become a leading hub for shipping the fruit all across the nation. 

The 1920s were considered to be the heyday of the strawberry industry in southern Missouri and northern Arkansas.

It was at this time Monett became known as the Strawberry Capital of the World, as farmers throughout Barry County would meet in Monett during strawberry season to ship their produce. 

While most farms were only a few acres each, local farmers found that they  were able to get the best shipping prices by combining their shipments, forming coalitions such as the Exeter Berry Growers and Southwest Missouri Strawberry Growers Associations.

As many as 200-300 cars of strawberries went out of Monett each season during the 1880s through the 1950s.

While local farmers saw profits grow due to the ease of transportation, local buyers saw unique deals, as they were able to buy over-ripe strawberries that did not get shipped out for lower prices than most markets. 

Strawberry season also meant more work for children, travelers and others looking for seasonal work, as strawberry pickers were in high demand. 

Local children often spent their summers picking the crop to bring in extra income to their families and buy ice cream and candy from local shops during the school break. 

Workers were paid by the quantity they picked. “Strawberry tickets” were given to pickers each day that noted the quantity that was picked. 

Workers held on to these tickets until pay day. After the farmers sold the strawberries, workers would be paid based on the sum of their tickets. 

Strawberry festivals were also commonplace throughout the region, bringing in tourists and shoppers to local markets. Strawberry festivals can still be found throughout Missouri and Arkansas beginning in April and lasting through July. 

The strawberry industry began to decline in the 1950s as more railroads began utilizing refrigerated carts, driving the industry to places such as California and Florida. Today, there are no droves of farmers and workers gathering in Monett to sell strawberries, but the appreciation for the fruit lives on in art throughout the city and artifacts in the Monett Historical Society Museum, commemorating the Strawberry’s impact. 

The Monett Historical Society and Museum is open five days a week, Tuesday through Saturday from 10 am. to 4 p.m. Admission is free.