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Apples are a legacy coming to us from antiquity. Under, cultivation since prehistoric times, the common apple appears in the mythology, traditions, history and archaeology of the most ancient nations. Throughout the ages, poets, including those of the Bible, have used apples metaphorically as a symbol of beauty and goodness

Here, in Eastern Madera County, the moderate, elevations, cold nights and warm days are ideal conditions for growing apples of exceptional quality. This was proven in 1893, when Frank Femmons won awards at the Chicago World's Fair for apples developed at his Home Orchard Ranch in Ahwahnee. These were famous for their size and flavor.

Local history shows that the first settlers came to Fresno Flats (now Oakhurst) and the surrounding hill country as early as 1850. This included the area of Ahwahnee. The first families came, it seems, not only bringing wagons and plows, but pouches filled with apple seeds and bundles of cuttings. One early descendent says that every homeyard boasted at least one apple tree. In the early 1850's, these apples were a welcome treat for the miners in the nearby gold camps. They needed the fresh fruit to help ward off "land" scurvy.

One early, and still producing, orchard is on Road 20 near Bass Lake. Planted sometime before 1856, by a long-bearded man called Jerusalem, it was acquired by the Dunlaps at that time. Until recently, it was owned by the pioneer Teaford Family. Another, over 100 years old and in production, is the Sunshine Ranch, located at 4,000 feet on Mammoth Pool Road. For many years, this was known

as the Foster's-Hogue Ranch. But the original planter was Jesse B. Ross who planted five acres of Red Pearmain and Snow apples around 1858.

In the early days, most of the orchards were for home use. Transporting the tender, easily bruised fruit by wagon into the valley-a two day trip-wasn't feasible. However, the apples could be stored for many months in a "cool" room. This structure would have thick walls filled with sawdust. The fruit was laid on the wooden floor between layers of straw.

Besides being eaten in their natural state, the apples were dried, canned and made into cider. The fruit was also used for barter. This was a popular exchange in Fresno Flats during the lunch stop of the Madera-Wawona. stage. It's said, the Yosemite pioneer, Galen Clark, who lived at Wawona from 1860 to 1865, was an apple trader.

Even the wood was put to good use. Dried over the summer to prevent warping, it made strong ax handles and other toolparts. Used in those early day smoke houses to flavor the hams and bacons, applewood remains a favorite for smoking and barbecuing meats today.

More than a century after the planting of the first orchards, the mountainsides and knolls around the Oakhurst Basin are once again being farmed with apples.

The annual Mountain Apple Fest and Crafts Show is held the second weekend of October in downtown Oakhurst. This popular event, features an apple pancake breakfast, held early Sunday morning. Newly harvested apples, fresh cider and pastries are sold by the mountain growers. All crafts are hand-made by California craftspeople. Work by local artisans is also featured.