04/19/2026
In this photo, farmers and farmhands are depicted harvesting apples in a thriving West Virginia orchard.
Apples have long been recognized as the most significant fruit crop cultivated in the Mountain State.
Numerous varieties of apples are prevalent in the state, including York Imperial, Rome Beauty, Stayman Winesap, Delicious, Ben Davis, Grimes Golden, Jonathan, Arkansas Winesap, and Yellow Transparent. The most notable yellow apples grown in the U.S. were first discovered and developed in the Mountain State, such as the Grimes Golden and the Golden Delicious varieties.
Anderson "Devil Anse" and Levicy Hatfield planted and managed a flourishing apple orchard at their homeplace at Island Creek District, at Sarah Ann. Cap, the second child of Devil Anse and Levicy, also had a small producing orchard at his property at Stirrat, WV.
Photo, Circa 1928
Source: West Virginia Yesterday and Today, by Phil Conley, 1931