FLORIDA - Banana Tree - 1913 - Melrose - Putnam County:  Limited commercial banana cultivation was occurring in Florida in 1913, although the state's commercial production was small compared to Central and South America. Bananas were not a new crop to Florida, as they had been grown in various locations since the 1500s when they were introduced by the Spanish.  In 1913, the area of what was then called Banana (now a part of Melrose) in Putnam County, Florida, was a hub for banana cultivation, having existed since before the Civil War. Additionally, the first commercial banana farm in the United States was established near Silver Lake, Florida, in 1876, but it is unclear how much production was happening in 1913. 

Key facts about Florida's banana cultivation around 1913:

-  Early Florida history: By 1913, bananas had been grown in Florida for centuries, with limited commercial production beginning in the late 1800s.

-  Marginal climate: Florida's subtropical climate is considered marginal for large-scale commercial banana production due to the risk of occasional freezes. Commercial operations were primarily small-scale and located in the southern part of the state.

-  Everglades drainage: In 1913, banana plants were being grown in the Everglades Drainage District. A historical photograph from the Florida Memory archive documents a man on his banana farm there during this period. The Everglades Agricultural Area has been a site for growing bananas since the region was settled.

Consumer demand: Early 20th-century consumer demand for bananas was growing in the U.S. due to their relatively low cost and high caloric content. A 1913 proposal to reinstate a tariff on imported bananas was met with widespread consumer protests, showing the fruit's popularity.

Import dominance: Despite some local cultivation, the U.S. consumer market was heavily supplied by large multinational fruit companies importing from Central and South America, not from Florida. This would have limited the scope of Florida's commercial endeavors.

Impact of disease: Throughout the early 20th century, plantations in Latin America and the Caribbean were being devastated by Panama disease. This threat influenced the banana industry, though its impact on Florida's small-scale operations is less documented than its effect on the major export regions controlled by corporations like the United Fruit Company.

This Divided Back Era postcard, mailed in 1913, is in good condition bit shows some edge wear.  Florida Artistic Series.  Haven ©1890.