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By Christopher Busta-Peck, March 2, 2008 | |
| | | 1. Hancock's Orchard Industry Marker | | |
Inscription. Hancock and its surrounding area during the main span of the 20th century was one of the largest fruit producers in the nation. In 1886 Edmund Pendleton Cohill began the cultivation of fruit crops. Over the years his planted acreage increased, and Cohill formed the Tonoloway Orchard Company.
Other company and family names followed, among them: Millstone Orchard Company, Locher Orchards, Daniels, Funk, R.S. Dillon, Corona Orchard Company, Round Top Orchard Company, Green Lane, Roy Daniels, John Mason and L. Resley, as well as Hepburn Orchards. Over time, many of them were incorporated into larger companies such as Fairview Orchards.
At the industrial peak in the mid 1940-60's, five thousand acres produced apples, peaches, cherries, and plums, which were shipped to "fresh markets" and canning factories. "Fancy Packs" were shipped abroad. Laborers from Florida, Puerto Rico, and Jamaica helped local farmers harvest each fall, giving a huge boost to the local economy. Cold storage warehouses stored the excess fruit until markets opened for the fruit.
The bulk of the industry went into decline in the 1970-80 period due to labor problems. Most of the area, once a fruit basked for the nation, now lies fallow.
Location. 39° 41.968′ N, 78° 11.049′ | | | | 
By Christopher Busta-Peck, March 2, 2008 | |
| | | 2. Fruit trees, the marker and the National Road | | |
W. Marker is in Hancock, Maryland, in Washington County. Marker is on West Main Street (Maryland Route 144), on the left when traveling west. Click for map. Marker is in this post office area: Hancock MD 21750, United States of America.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Fort Coombe (about 500 feet away, in a direct line); Major James Breathed (approx. 0.3 miles away); Hancock (approx. 0.3 miles away); Hancock Station (approx. 0.3 miles away); The National Road (approx. 0.3 miles away); St. Thomas Church (approx. 0.3 miles away); Gettysburg Campaign (approx. 0.3 miles away); St. Thomas Episcopal Church (approx. 0.3 miles away). Click for a list of all markers in Hancock.
Credits. This page originally submitted on March 3, 2008, by Christopher Busta-Peck of Shaker Heights, Ohio. This page has been viewed 1,067 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 3, 2008, by Christopher Busta-Peck of Shaker Heights, Ohio. |
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