So today I started reading from page 1 of Fig Varieties:  A Monograph by Ira J. Condit and was amazed at how interesting the introduction was.   In the past I always went straight to the information on varieties. 

Ira mentions in the acknowledgments of a Commercial Fig Orchard in Crisfield, Maryland. 

Does this orchard still exist? 

http://ucce.ucdavis.edu/files/datastore/391-296.pdf

I could not find anything other than this article that states there is a local variety names Crisfield White. Your syrup of figs sign makes an appearance here too. http://www.common-place.org/vol-11/no-03/bherman/

Ira acknowledges Stoughton Sterling, PA who was conducting at the family home, Crisfield,  MD "a commercial fig orchard and test plot of promising varieties".  

How cool would it be to track down the "family home site" and see whats still growing there.  We are looking at the 1950's, so something must still be around.


Found an Obituary of Mr. Sterling (JR) but I bet Ira was working with SR.

STERLING - Captain Stoughton Sterling Jr. USN, Retired, 84, passed away at Baptist Medical Center on Saturday, Sept. 23, 2000 from complications of Alzheimers Disease. He was born Sept. 10, 1916 in Philadelphia, Penn. and grew up in Philadelphia and Crisfield, Maryland. He graduated from the United States Naval Academy in Feb. 1941. He was assigned to the heavy cruiser USS Augusta where he witnessed the signing of the Atlantic Charter by President Franklin D. Roosevelt and Winston Churchill. He subsequently became a Naval Aviator, flying PBYs PMWs and P2V patrol aircraft. During his distinguished naval career he served as Commanding Officer of VU-10 in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba: Navigator, USS Franklin D. Roosevelt, CVA-42; Commanding Officer, Naval Air Station, Memphis, Tenn., Naval Attache American Embassy, Ottawa, Canada; and Commander, Second Naval Recruiting District. He graduated with distinction from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces, Captain Sterling retired from the Navy in 1970 and became the Executive Director of Future Memphis Incorporated, before settling in Jacksonville in 1972. He served on the staff of Bartram School and established his own cabinet making business, where he was a gifted cabinet maker and toy maker. He was a member of the Naval Academy Alumni Association, the Retired Officers Association, the Red Caps, and the Episcopal Church of Our Savior in Mandarin. Captain Sterling is survived by his wife of 58 years, Betty; two sons, Capt. Stoughton Sterling III, USN, (Ret.) of Fairfax, VA (Jacqueline) and Robert Alan Sterling, of Jacksonville; one daughter, Betty J. Lucas of Jacksonville; five grandchildren, Robert C. Wood, Tracy Libby both of Jacksonville, Christine Benedetto, Kimberly Witeck, and Stoughton Sterling IV, of Fairfax, VA; and five great grandchildren. A Funeral service will be held at 11 AM Wednesday, September 27th at the Episcopal Church of Our Savior 12236 Mandarin Road, Mandarin. Entombment will follow with full military honors at Oak Lawn Cemetery Mausoleum. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Alzheimers Association Northeastern Florida Chapter, 2131 Mango Place, Jacksonville, FL 32207 in Captain Sterlings memory. HARDAGE-GIDDENS MANDARIN FUNERAL HOME in charge of arrangements.

Brent - Very interesting history thanks for posting it.  Notice the trade card of Ficus Carica says, "Especially adapted for Women and Children"  

This is very interesting. I go to or thru Crisfield at least twice a year. But, I have only known Crisfield as a Great fishing and crabbing area. Never thought about them being known for fig trees. I will have to ask some of the fishing boat captains about this. That maybe next year. The fishing has stopped now for the most part.

I found an interesting place on Google maps, Crisfield is pretty small and the southwest looks developed. Anyway, there are several acres of trees planted in 15 ft. rows, they don't look like Christmas trees to me, and it does not look like a nursery operation. There's an old house in the middle.
Like I said there are acres, so maybe it is a little too good to be true, maybe some other type of fruit tree.

Cathy- I see that, not sure what they did to make it special for women and kids though? Omit the chemicals? Sign me up too!
It was sort of sad to read about the historical connection between figs, Thomas Jefferson and slavery. We have come a long way. It is a very interesting article though and I don't think it is in the f4f database yet.

Ricci - It is very nice of you to volunteer your time.  I hope you are successful in finding this old orchard.

Found some interesting information.

Stoughton Sterling, Jr info from Ancestory.com

There is a road named Stouty Sterling right near Sackertown Rd. I don't see any commercial sized plantings, but the area is not developed either. If we can't get a hold of family then the Crisfield Heritage Foundation should be able to help.