“Pineapples were the crop of choice before citrus,” said County Historian Ruth Stanbridge at the second annual Party at the Pineapple Plantation. The event took place at the historic Hallstrom Farmstead, where pineapples once reigned supreme. In the early 1900s, the juicy fruit grew along the “Golden Ridge” from Stuart through Sebastian.
“With the completion of the Florida East Coast Railroad, pineapples were imported from Cuba. Between the bugs they brought in with crops from Cuba and the freezes of 1917 and 1918, the pineapple industry was wiped out,” she explained.
The party was a fundraiser for the Indian River County Historical Society, which had been contacted by a Hallstrom relative last summer with an offer they couldn’t refuse.
“They had slips from the pineapples grown on the Hallstrom pineapple plantation and thought we might be interested in getting the pineapples back on the property,” says IRCHS Vice President Mary Frances Womack.
They planted those slips, descended from the original crops, at last year’s pineapple homecoming and over the past year also added other varieties.
“We want people to associate pineapples, Indian River County and the Hallstrom plantation with each other. Axel Hallstrom was the original grower in Indian River County,” added Womack.
Stanbridge pointed out the irony that while citrus replaced pineapples as a major crop almost 100 years ago, citrus today is on its way out. Judging from the turnout at this year’s event, where more than 500 visitors strolled along the grounds of the nearly 100-year-old home on Old Dixie Highway, the pineapple is back.
The afternoon’s activities included pineapple carving demonstrations, tours of the beautifully maintained home, pineapple plantings and, of course, pineapple tastings. Guests also enjoyed perusing local wares and silent auction items while listening to the music of the Blue Cypress Bluegrass Band.
The Historical Society was willed the beautifully furnished Hallstrom House and five acres by Ruth Hallstrom, who died in 1999, and members have worked tirelessly to preserve, maintain and improve the property as a piece of Indian River County’s history.
Hallstrom’s nieces, Cindy Hallstrom Trefelner and Gail Hallstrom, toured the home with IRCHS house director Al Smith, enjoying a trip down memory lane and sharing stories of their Sunday afternoons with Ruth.
“She was a great force in our lives,” said Trefelner. “This is a wonderful, warm house. We have so many good memories here.”
The two were born and raised in the area and are thrilled with what the Historical Society has accomplished.
“This was her wish, so it’s perfect,” shared Gail Hallstrom, looking out at the sprawling lawn, bustling with activity as people milled about.
“Today is about sharing our local history and raising money to help support the improvements we have planned,” said Womack. “We want to add a summer kitchen and restrooms. We want people to come for reunions and rent it out for weddings and receptions. This amazing property needs to be utilized.”
For more information, visit IRCHistorical.org.