This article explores the history and legacy of the “Bob White” orange brand and the once-thriving citrus packing house in DeLeon Springs. Founded by citrus grower Theodore Strawn in the early 1900s, the packing house became a key part of Florida’s booming citrus industry, producing high-quality oranges that were shipped across the United States and even internationally. The “Bob White” label represented premium fruit, carefully processed, graded, and packed using innovative techniques for the time.

At its peak, the facility was a bustling hub of agricultural activity, supported by multiple buildings and advanced packing systems that helped streamline distribution. However, like much of Florida’s citrus industry, the operation faced significant challenges from disease, fire, and devastating freezes. A major freeze in 1983 ultimately destroyed the groves, forcing the packing house to close and marking the end of an era.

Today, the abandoned packing house stands as a reminder of Central Florida’s agricultural past. Though now deteriorating, the site remains historically significant, reflecting both the innovation and fragility of the early citrus industry. The story of Bob White oranges highlights the rise, success, and eventual decline of a once-prominent local enterprise that helped shape the region’s identity.