Near Hancock in Washington County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
The Apple Industry
Western Maryland Rail Trail
Photographed By Bernard Fisher, July 24, 2016
1. The Apple Industry Marker
For well over one hundred years the Hancock area has been at the heart of the Maryland Apple Industry. At the first part of the 20th Century, the gently rolling hills and vast open territories hosted over twelve major orchards. Some of the more noteworthy companies included J.A. Cohill, R.M. Daniels, John T. Mason, Glenn Allen, The Marvania Orchards and the Ridgefield Fruit Farms.
One of the largest producers, the American Fruit Growers, once claimed to have harvested 75,000 barrels of apples annually.
At this site, you can see the remains of a foundation that once was a packing shed. Typical construction was a wood framed and sided structure resting on a stone or concrete foundation. This packing shed was located next to a siding track, where apples could be sorted, packed, and loaded onto waiting freight cars.
Today, the apple industry in the Hancock area, as well as the Western Maryland Railway, is a memory of times past, but not forgotten.
(captions)
Harvest time at the Brook Farm on Roundtop Road
Harvest time at the Cohill Orchard near Hancock
Erected by
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Industry & Commerce • Railroads & Streetcars.
Location. 39° 38.894′ N, 78° 14.984′ W. Marker is near Hancock, Maryland, in Washington County. Marker can be reached from the intersection of Willow Road and Seavolt Road, on the left when traveling south. Located on the Western Maryland Rail Trail. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Hancock MD 21750, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Skirmish at Sir Johns Run (approx. 0.7 miles away in West Virginia); Joseph S. Wheat (approx. 1.7 miles away in West Virginia); Charles T. O'Ferrall (approx. 1.7 miles away in West Virginia); John Donovan (approx. 1.8 miles away in West Virginia); Berkeley Springs Train Depot (approx. 1.8 miles away in West Virginia); George Irwin (approx. 1.8 miles away in West Virginia); Joseph Booth (approx. 1.8 miles away in West Virginia); George Dick (approx. 1.8 miles away in West Virginia).
Also see . . . Western Maryland Rail Trail. State of Maryland Department of Natural Resources website entry (Submitted on July 26, 2016.)
Photographed By Bernard Fisher, July 24, 2016
2. Western Maryland Rail Trail (WMRT)
Credits. This page was last revised on February 17, 2022. It was originally submitted on July 26, 2016, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 400 times since then and 58 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 26, 2016, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.
