Near Gays Mills in Crawford County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Gays Mills Apple Orchards

Photographed by Keith L, June 6, 2010

1. Gays Mills Apple Orchards Marker

Inscription. Farmers in this area learned early that the land on both sides of the Kickapoo River offered excellent conditions for apple-growing. In 1905 John Hays and Ben Twining collected apples from eight or ten farmers around Gays Mills for exhibit at the State Fair. The exhibit won first prize, then went on to capture first honors in a national apple show in New York. This experience prompted the Wisconsin State Horticultural Society to urge a project of "trial orchards" around the state to interest growers in commercial production. The Society examined a site on High Ridge and planted five acres with five recommended varieties. By 1911 the orchard had grown so vigorously that an organization was formed in Gays Mills to promote the selling of orchards. Today more than a thousand acres here produce apples nationally known for their color and flavor.

Erected 1955 by the Wisconsin Historical Society. (Marker Number 23.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Horticulture & Forestry. In addition, it is included in the Wisconsin Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1905.

Location. 43° 18.917′ N, 90° 50.441′ W. Marker is near Gays Mills, Wisconsin, in Crawford County. It is on State Highway

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171 half a mile east of State Highway 131, on the left when traveling east. Marker is east of Gays Mills at a highway pull-off. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Gays Mills WI 54631, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American Midwest,

on the Great Lakes,

in the Corn Belt,

in the Driftless Area — Bluff Country,

and in the Great River Road Region.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 13 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Gays Mills Sesquicentennial (approx. half a mile away); Cliff Swallows (approx. 0.6 miles away); Beauford T. Anderson (approx. 5.1 miles away); James Davidson (approx. 6.3 miles away); Soldiers Grove Origin (approx. 6½ miles away); Black Hawk Trail (approx. 9.3 miles away); John McCulloch (approx. 12.4 miles away); Trade Links – River Borne (approx. 13.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Gays Mills.

Also see . . .
1. The Village of Gays Mills. Village Website. History and apple orchard information. (Submitted on June 8, 2010.)

2. Gays Mills, Wisconsin. Wikipedia entry. (Submitted on June 8, 2010.)

Photographed by Keith L, June 6, 2010

2. Gays Mills Apple Orchards Marker

State Highway 171 Westbound image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Keith L, June 6, 2010

3. State Highway 171 Westbound

Gays Mills sign; the marker is past the curve.

View of Highway from Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Keith L, June 6, 2010

4. View of Highway from Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on June 8, 2010, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 2,271 times since then and 73 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 8, 2010, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.