Records of companies acquired by the United Fruit Company
Overview
The records contain minutes, charters, by-laws, and annual reports of fruit and related companies acquired by the United Fruit Company or in which it owned stock, 1897-1955.
Dates
- 1897-1955
- Majority of material found within 1897-1916
Conditions Governing Access
Collection is open for research. Materials stored onsite. Please contact specialcollectionsref@hbs.edu for more information.
Extent
2 linear feet (6 volumes, 1 box)The collection contains six volumes and one box of records fruit and related companies acquired by the United Fruit Company or in which it owned stock, 1897-1955. There are meeting minute books for the Snyder Banana Company, Sama Fruit Company, Dominican Fruit Company, and Monumental Trading Company. The bulk of the collection is minutes, charters, by-laws, and annual reports, 1897-1916. There is also a box containing United Fruit Co. wage and benefit policies, circa 1955, and annual reports and proxy statements, 1938-1945.
Historical Note:
The United Fruit Company was incorporated in March 30, 1899. The company immediately acquired the Boston Fruit Company and several others. By 1930, the company had absorbed more than twenty rival firms and was the largest employer in Central America. It engaged in the production, transportation, and marketing of bananas, sugar, cocoa, abaca, and other tropical agricultural products. The United Fruit Company ultimately owned or leased property in Honduras, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Panama, Colombia, Cuba, Jamaica, and numerous other Central American, South American, and West Indian countries.
Physical Location
MANU
Provenance:
Purchase, 2005.
Processing Information
Processed: April 2011
By: Christine Riggle
- Title
- Records of companies acquired by the United Fruit Company, 1897-1955 (inclusive), 1897-1916 (bulk) : A Finding Aid
- Author
- Baker Library
- Description rules
- dacs
- Language of description
- und
- EAD ID
- bak00165
Repository Details
Part of the Baker Library Special Collections and Archives, Harvard Business School Repository
Baker Library Special Collections and Archives holds unique resources that focus on the evolution of business and industry, as well as the records of the Harvard Business School, documenting the institution's development over the last century. These rich and varied collections support research in a diverse range of fields such as business, economic, social and cultural history as well as the history of science and technology.
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specialcollectionsref@hbs.edu