The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
by Jennifer Dance, The Quill Staff
What do you think about when you bite into an apple? Probably not much; you're just busy trying to keep the juice from dripping down your chin and onto your clothes. After this afternoon, the experience of eating an apple will never be the same after a visit and tour of the Weir Fruit Farm.
The Weir Fruit Farm was established in 1884; making it 120 years old this year.
The main home that still stands today was used as the parsonage of the South Henderson Church until 1884, when William T. Weir, Sr. purchased it and started his apple orchard business. Three generations later the farm is still thriving and producing apples of almost every variety.
Mrs. Jane Weir, wife of the late William R. Weir, Sr. has done an incredible job of making the farm a continuing success for the past twelve years. She and William were married in December of 1948 and she has lived on the farm ever since. Mrs. Weir has 2 full-time employees, one of whom lives on the property.
During the late summer and fall seasons, the pickers gather thousands of apples from the trees in the orchards. After using a special method of hand - picking, the apples are put into large crates, approximately 4 foot by 4 foot and taken to the sorting area. The crates, while full of apples are fork - lifted and gently tipped over to ease the apples out onto the sorter.
The apple sorter is in the old stone barn, located on the south side of the property. Purchased in 1965, the sorter helps to divide the apples by size and quality. All bruised apples are picked out by hand and sold as "seconds" at half price. (Mrs. Weir can spot an imperfect apple like no one else!)
The perfect ones, apples without any bruises or spots, range anywhere from 2 inches in height to a much larger size. The apples that are 1 to 2 inches in height are used for apple cider.
Approximately 25 bushels of apples are in one batch of cider, one batch making 90 gallons. The cider press area is attached to the old stone barn.
The cooler is located on the southwest side of the farm. It has a large main level and a basement as well. The barn is kept at 34 degrees and is where many of the apples are stored. In the 1940's the cooler was kept cold by an interesting method of cooling by water. The old cooling machine is still located east of the cooler barn and is very intriguing.
The carriage house, located on the east side of the farm along the road has been updated and now holds a museum of the family and farm's history. Inside are pictures of five generations of the Weir family - the oldest being Alexander Weir and his wife Anna (parents of the first William T. Weir) from Glasgow, Scotland taken in the mid 1800's. The original carriage house, where the apples used to be sold, is pictured in the museum as well.
The retail store was added on to the old stone barn in 1978. It sells cider by the gallon or half gallon, jams, jellies, many different sauces, candies, some fun accessories and of course, apples of all kinds.
Over the past 120 years, the Weir family has employed many different people from the area. At one time, there were several different homes throughout the property where the hired help lived. Three of the homes still stand today.
Much of the land has been pushed back to farm fields of corn, but it is still such an impressive sight to see the rows and rows of trees filled with apples.
Riding along the rolling hills with Mrs. Weir is a treat in itself. She has so much knowledge to share and a sincere passion for her family's business.
"I need to cut down some of the older trees, but I just can't bring myself to do it. I hand - planted some of those myself," Mrs. Weir said while narrating part of her story of the past 56 years.
Some of the trees actually resemble grapevines draped with apples. It is a beautiful drive through the orchard.
The Weir Fruit Farm is quite an historical institution in Henderson County. Mrs. Weir is there to greet you with such warmth and a genuine love for her business and the farm she has lived on for over half a century.
Why would one buy apples anywhere else? After all, you're buying so much more than just an apple. You're buying 120 years of hard work, dedication and a part of Henderson County's history.