Cranberries have been farmed on and around the Long Beach Peninsula since the late 1800’s. At first growers would pick the cranberries by hand, which is okay for a family and community harvest, however unsustainable for future a commercial ventures.
The Furford dry harvest picker was first introduced by Julius Furford of Grayland, WA in 1956. Power is supplied by a 4-6 h.p. gas engine.
“During WWII growers welcomed the increased demand for cranberries to help feed the troops, but the shortage of labor for hand-picking prompted them to look for more efficient, mechanized harvesting methods to improve production. One of the most unique pieces of equipment developed to do the job was the vacuum or ‘suction” picking machine.” Cranberry Museum
Today most cranberries are harvested using a technique known as wet harvesting. The bog is flooded with water and the cranberries float to the surface, where they are easily scooped up.
The Cranberry Museum is located on the Washington State University Agricultural Extension scientific research ground on Pioneer Road. Hope you visit and buy some of their delicious cranberry condiments!
Lindy Low LeCoq 
Fascinating, Lindy. Man’s innovative curiosity and problem solving. I must drink more cranberry juice. 🙂
Thanks, John! There’s also cranberry catsup, cranberry jalapeno salsa, cranberry wine…!
Very interesting, Lindy. It is always cool to read about those inventions that made a tremendous difference to their industry.
Thanks John. And thanks for hosting! Every agricultural industry has a trail of innovations that made the work easier!
Thank you for showing us these historical photos and changes, Lindy!
It was a pleasure, Amy. Sending healing energy after another loss of innocents so near you.
The history of cranberry harvesting is very interesting, Lindy, and your pictures tell a great story!!
Thank you Sylvia. I’m always a bit squeamish about posting photos of other peoples photos to tell the story, yet that’s the only way when it comes to history!
I’ve seen many responses to the challenge Lindy but yours was the one I found most interesting. Can you imagine VACUUMING a field for cranberries?!?!?! Yikes. My husband’s cousin owns one of the largest cranberry farms, located in Hanson Mass. He’s one of the major providers for Ocean Spray.
Such a nice compliment, Tina! Thank you. That you have family in the business gives you an added perspective on what it would take to vacuum a field!!!
The Narragansett people of the Algonquian nation in the regions of New England used cranberries in pemmican for food and for dye. The word cranberry is an English transliteration of the German word, kraanbere, used by German and Dutch colonists in New England.
I did not know that Washington has a history with cranberries. Cranberries are also a major commercial crop in Massachusetts and New Jersey.
Maine and Massachusetts are well known for their cranberry cultivation. I appreciate your bit of history about the Narragansett people of the Algonquian nation. Here, the Chinook people of the Salish nation knew the wild cranberry in much the same way. Though not the “Cranberry Capital of the World,” Long Beach adds its tang to Cranberry juice potions available on the market! Thank you for dropping in and commenting.
Awesome post, Lindy. I was looking for cranberries last October and my usual places didn’t come through, so I ended up at the Cranberry Museum. (My first time.) What a quirky, neat place. I couldn’t believe all the cranberry products! I’m so glad I dropped by. I really love your post!
Thank you, Steve! I’m so glad that your quest for “fresh from the farm” Cranberries lead you to the Cranberry Museum in Long Beach! It truly is a quirky place, and every product I’ve tried or gifted has received 5 stars!