The Awbrey and Bickner Canning Factory as it looked in 1946

In 1944, Johnny Awbrey purchased the George Bickner farm, two miles north of Lurton, Arkansas on Highway 123. Johnny and George became partners and built a tomato canning factory on this farm. George moved to California and Johnny operated the cannery.

It began operating in the summer of 1946. Many local families grew large fields of tomatoes for the cannery. Several women were employed at the factory, coring and peeling tomatoes. This was the first opportunity many local women and girls ever had to earn money.

However, the cannery only was in business for a year, as the state health department begain enforcing so many strict and stringent regulations, that is was too costly to bring the factory into compliance. The cannery had to close and the equipment was sold to a Mr. Moore in Jasper, Arkansas.

Johnny Lewis Awbrey, 1967...age 75

The article and pictures were sent in by Thelma Gregoire of Pelsor, Akransas...daughter of Johnny Awbrey....Thank you Thelma!