Sun Prairie Canning Company

Explore Sun Prairie’s agricultural and industrial heritage at the former Sun Prairie Canning Company, once one of the city’s largest employers.  Founded in 1900, the cannery became a cornerstone of the local economy, processing seasonal harvests of peas, sweet corn, lima beans, tomatoes and green beans.  During World War II, the factory played an important role in supporting the war effort, modernizing its operations in 1943-1944 and expanding its workforce to as many as 500 people.  With many local men serving overseas, the cannery relied heavily on local women, including wives whose husbands were deployed, to help meet critical wartime labor needs.

The cannery operated under several names over the decades, including Oconomowoc Canning Company, Stokely USA and Chiquita Brands, before closing in 2000 – exactly 100 years after its founding.  Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2004, the historic main building retains its original industrial character and has been thoughtfully redeveloped into apartments and the Nitty Gritty.