Libby, McNeill and Libby opened the San Joaquin Valley's largest cannery on this 6 1/4 acre site in Selma on July 18, 1911, less than four months after acquiring the property and announcing construction plans. The initial construction cost was 25,895. Drawn by the many cling peach orchards around Selma and by the early success of a much smaller cannery a few blocks away on Whitson Street, the operation grew quickly and doubled its production capacity within a year. In 1914, this large warehouse structure was built as other major improvements were made to the adjoining cannery along Center Street. Continued expansion made Libby's one of California's largest canneries and the biggest employer in southern Fresno County. Because of Libby's, Selma adopted its first community theme in 1914, "Home of the Peach." Declining fruit supplies, falling production, and antiquated facilities led to the cannery's closure on September 24, 1971, and the main cannery building was later demolished.