Strawberries are a favorite crop of backyard and commercial farmers throughout the United States, and there are almost as many varieties of strawberries as there are farmers.

In the early 20th century, the most popular strawberries on Eastside farms were the Marshall, Clark, and Ettersburg-121 varieties.

The Marshall produced a very sweet berry. It was excellent for eating fresh, but the high sugar content made it soften and spoil more quickly than other varieties. The Marshall had a shelf life of only one or two days and could not be shipped long distances unless frozen.

The Clark berry was much firmer and was the superior berry for commercial farmers who wanted to transport their product across the state or along the coast.

The Ettersburg-121 variety was a cross of the Marshall and Clark varieties developed by Albert Etter of Mendecino, Calif. It was an excellent berry for shipping and canning, and extremely productive. One acre of plants could yield 400 to 500 crates of berries. Henry Fisher, the owner of a Kirkland canning company, introduced this variety to the Eastside in 1923.

Despite their early popularity, these three varieties have vanished from modern farms and gardens. The Marshall strawberry is almost extinct, but some specimens still exist in a USDA plant repository in Oregon.

Heritage Corner is a weekly feature in the Bellevue Reporter. Material is provided by the Eastside Heritage Center. For more information call 425-450-1049 or visit this website, and please attend the Strawberry Festival at Crossroads Park, June 26th and 27th.