The Full Story
Inspired by my grandfather and his stories of long times past...

Grandpa was born during the 1890's. I’m in my 60's now and reflecting on my past, I can see my grandfather’s hand in my life. The stories about his days and his love for farming and orchards are in a strange way similar to the stories I tell my grandchildren.. Grandpa was laid to rest in 1974 but his stories especially about his trees had always stuck with me. He grew fruit & nut trees over the state line from here in Tillman’s Corner, Alabama: just west of Mobile. The Walmart parking lot there today was once a good piece of his orchard. Many believe apples won't grow here in the south. However I have heard and know they will; apples were grown everywhere, yes even in Tillman’s Corner, Alabama.

Producing apple tree growers in South Alabama are historically documented with thriving businesses like: Mr. Green Shell, Mr. Robert Harwell, and Col. C.C Langdon all within 50 miles off the gulf coastal area of South Alabama long ago…

Mr. Green Shell was located in Escambia county, Alabama near the Florida state line. His town where he grew into an apple industry town today is yes called: Appleton. Mr. Shell grew and shipped apples North in North bound box cars. Today Mr. Shell is most notably known for his contribution to us all, the Shell of Alabama apple tree, we speak of today.

Robert Harwell a well-known and respected nurseryman located in Mobile, Alabama wrote to “The Horticulturist” magazine publication in 1848. At the time of writing about many things, he noted peaches and apples thrive in the Mobile, Alabama area.

C.C. Langdon, of Vineland Nursery in Citronelle, Alabama and one of the largest nurseries in the state just North of Mobile, C.C Langdon was a well-known and celebrated horticulturists, headed the Alabama State Agricultural Society, served his area well in Alabama politics, his contributions were great in many respects earning Langdon Hall at the Auburn University the honor of carrying his name. For reference the Vineland Nursery catalog in the mid 1800’s listed in excess of 100 apple varieties Vineland Nursery. Also, In 1888 Langdon Nurseries in Mobile stated there was an area apple tree here found on older settlements they call the Red May Apple. The Red May Apple was hardy, productive, fruit varied from small to large in size, was mostly red over yellow in color, flavor was acid, and ripened late May to early June.

My point, with the above precious history that others so well documented is, apples will grow again in the South and more will than most believe today. Today many varieties are thought to have been lost and faded away to time. Some probably are, however I believe many of these trees are still around; just the historical connections have been lost. I know where some are growing!

This is a puzzle to a story and I intend to find all the pieces to I can, testing them for myself till the day I can experience what Grandpa once described and did!

Please join me on my journey to dot our area in old time trees, where they once thrived!
Thank you for your support!

Jimmy