The following is an excerpt from “A History of Leelanau Township” by the Leelanau Township Historical Writers Group.
The Rev. George N. Smith began planting fruit trees the first season (1849) he was here and continued adding trees every year. By the year 1862 he had about 150 apple trees and a number of peaches, pears, plums and cherries planted in orchard form. Apples of this first planting are still being harvested today. He was a firm believer that the climate of this region was ideal for the raising of fruit. The Grand Traverse Herald published the following Sept. 9, 1859: An Apple: The following letter speaks for itself… Northport, Sept 3, 1859 Mr. Bates: I send you by the bearer, W.E. Powers, Esq., an apple, a Rhode Island Greening, grown in my garden last year (1858). As you will see, it is perfect at this date. According to the Fruit books, it should only have kept till last February; but here it is, a veritable apples grown in 1858 — nearly a year since I picked it from the tree Now if anything proves a pure atmosphere at Grand Traverse Bay does not this?
I kept several dozen Rhode Island Greenings, Blue Pearmains, Green Newtown Pippins and Winter Pippins until late this season. Non decayed until late this week.
