Orchards of apples & pears were prevalent in the foothills from early times. The apple orchard of Lincoln & Bertha Longeway was planted around 1910. These trees bore some of what would be considered “old fashioned” varieties today the Bellflower, which was a whitish apple, Dual reds, a variety of Rome beauties, Arkansas Blacks, old Roman beauties and the Newton pippin. May Longeway told of shipping these crops to the bay area, especially around holiday time. Especially popular (and remembered by older members of the community) were their “honey” apples or “lady” apples, a smaller variety of apple that was a late crop.

The property now divided by Longeway Road was at one time the hub of the family ranch and had storage sheds for the apples (which have been replaced over the years) as well as a blacksmith shop to service the family’s team of white horses. Yes, Sanguinetti’s cattle were driven up the Belleview Grade (Phoenix Lake Rd.) to higher mountain ranges.

The property today has been sketched by many artists and the barn at the corner is a popular subject.

I thank May Longeway for the time she allowed me to spend with her in her kitchen – where an aromatic apple pie was baking in the oven – made with the apples still being produced on the property.

Copyright 1998-2000 � Joan Lainen
Published here with permission of Joan Lainen