Puyallup Hop Ranch near Tacoma Washington Territory 1888 vintage print beer

Description: Original Vintage Print: A Puyallup Hop Ranch near Tacoma, Washington Territory by Charles Graham 1) Indians on the way to the Ranch 2) The Hop Field 3) The Hop-Pickers' Camp 4) A Hop House * very nicely colorized Year of Publication: 1888 Harper's Weekly Size: 16" x 11" 41cm x 28 cm Condition: good, edges a little brittle, pictures look good, normal aging (see pictures) will combine shipping if multiple items are purchased*A Puyallup hop ranch in the late 19th century was a bustling center of agricultural production, located in the lush Puyallup Valley near Tacoma in what was then Washington Territory. These hop ranches played a significant role in the beer industry, as hops are a crucial ingredient in brewing, imparting both bitterness and distinctive aromas to balance the sweetness of malt. Hops are the flowers, or cones, of the hop plant, Humulus lupulus, and they contribute essential flavors, as well as natural preservatives, to beer, helping it retain freshness during storage and transport. The Pacific Northwest’s mild climate and fertile volcanic soil created ideal conditions for hop cultivation, and by the 1880s, hop farming was a thriving industry. Fields at a Puyallup hop ranch stretched across the valley, a green expanse dotted with rows of tall wooden poles where hop vines climbed and flourished. Hop plants grow vertically, requiring the vines to be trained on poles or trellises that can reach up to 18 feet in height, creating a unique and striking landscape. At harvest time, these fields became lively with activity as laborers worked to collect the mature hop cones. During the picking season, Puyallup ranches drew a diverse labor force, including a significant number of Native Americans from local tribes like the Puyallup and Nisqually, who saw the hop harvest as an important seasonal opportunity. The work provided a critical source of income, and the hop-picking camps formed near the fields fostered a strong community atmosphere. Families often set up temporary tents around the ranch, turning the fields into a temporary village where people could rest, cook, and socialize after long days in the field. Evenings in the camps were sometimes filled with music, dance, and storytelling, blending work with cultural traditions and creating a lively social space. Central to each hop ranch was the hop house, a large wooden building where harvested hops were taken to be dried. Here, workers spread the cones on kilns or racks, exposing them to controlled heat that carefully removed moisture while preserving the hops' delicate oils and aromas. The dried hops were then packaged for sale, destined for breweries both locally and internationally. These Puyallup Valley hop ranches not only fueled the burgeoning beer industry but also created a distinct social and cultural landscape. They illustrate a moment in history where agriculture, indigenous tradition, and economic ambition converged, contributing to the regional identity and economic fabric of Washington Territory.4o

Price: 39.99 USD

Location: Montrose, California

End Time: 2025-02-01T16:59:36.000Z

Shipping Cost: 7.75 USD