The first planting of strawberries failed in 1895, but the next year, six and three-quarter acres of berries were planted and J.A. Brown sold berries for a value of $5,562. The growth of the industry continued and in 1907, 347,000 thirty-two quart crates were shipped and Chadbourn became the Klondyke Strawberry Capitol of the World. In 1907, the largest one-day shipment of strawberries was made. One hundred eighty railroad box carloads of strawberries, all of which had been harvested between sunrise and sunset, requiring 15,000 workers, were moved by rail from Chadbourn to points all over the country.

The continued success of the industry eventually became a reason for entertainment. In order to commemorate the thirtieth anniversary of the strawberry industry, the first Strawberry Festival was inaugurated on May 26, 1926