The Irvine Valencia Growers Association constructed a packing house on this site in 1929. There, the prize-winning oranges of the Irvine Ranch were cleaned and labeled before being shipped around the world. The railroad spur that picked up the oranges for shipping was called Kathryn, in honor of Irvine's late daughter. The packing house's success led to expansions in 1932 and 1944, and other significant additions included the Precooler Building in 1938 and the Refrigeration Building in 1939.