ohn Carson, proprietor of the Lugonia Park Nurseries, is a native of County Tyrone, North of Ireland, where he was born in 1856. In 1874 Mr. Carson came to the United Sates, and lived in the state of New York until 1888. Before leaving the old country he had learned a trade as gardener. Most of his residence in New York was in Ulster county, and for five years of the time he lived in New York City, where he was engaged in the ice business. In 1888 he came to California, and soon found his way to Redlands.

For something over a year Mr. Carson was foreman for A. K. Smiley, and was employed in the planting and arrangement of Smiley Heights. Afterward he served in a similar capacity one season for Messrs. I. L. Lyon & Sons, and then, five years ago, commenced business for himself, in the Lugonia Park Nurseries, on East State street, where he resides. His office and city yard are on Citrus avenue near Orange street. Mr. Carson deals in everything in the way of ornamental and citrus stock. He also designs flower gardens and grounds, and has had charge of the planting and foliage effects of many of the attractive bits of landscape gardening surrounding residences of Redlands. In connection with his city office and yard, Mr. Carson deals in cut flowers and plants, packs flowers for shipment to distant points, and makes floral designs in order. Both branches of this business are of a nature to grow in proportion with the growth of the city, and the proprietor will continue to keep abreast of the demand by studying the increasing needs of his patrons, and making every effort to supply whatever may be required. It is well worth the while of the citizens of Redlands to patronize a home industry of this sort. Fro home grown nursery stock is far more likely to be reliable, true to name, and free from insect pests, than any which is imported. This is perhaps truer of ornamental plants and flowers than of any other form of nursery stock.

Mr. Carson has been twice married. His oldest son, now fifteen years of age, is attending school in Ulster county, New York. In 1891 he was married at Los Angeles, to Miss Mary E. Moran, a native of New York, by whom he has two children, both native sons of the Golden West.

(Source: Illustrated Redlands, 1897, p. 69.)