Julian's Edible Gold
By Amber Ward

Fresh apples on the tree. Photo by Amber Ward

Once known for its "boom or bust" gold mining, Julian has found a real gem in its local produce. After mining fell from grace in the late 1800s, the Julian apple is what kept the town on the map. The apple remains the king of Julian's agriculture, but pears, peaches and grapes are also making their place in Julian's history.

Two of Julian's early settlers, James Madison and Thomas Brady, are credited with bringing the first truckload of apple seedlings to Julian in the 1870s. There were other apple orchard pioneers like Isaac Bush, David Talley, Henry Morris, L.N. Bailey, Chester Gunn and James Duffy.

As gold mining became less and less profitable, apples soon became the mainstay of Julian's economy. It was in 1889 at the first San Diego County District Fair where a $50 silk banner and a $60 riding cultivator were to be awarded for the best community display. A large display of assorted Julian fruit was set up at the fair, and Julian not only took home the banner and the cultivator, but also 88 first- and second-place awards.

Julian's apples were gaining notoriety because farmers were exhibiting their produce at county, state and world fairs. Julian apples were not only being distributed throughout the county but also around the country. Julian's apples took first place at the World's Fair in Chicago in 1893, the St. Louis World's Fair in 1904 and at the San Francisco World's Fair in 1915.

Dozens of varieties of apples are grown in Julian, including some antique types that can only be found in 80-plus, year-old orchards. The most common varieties are Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Jonathon, Rome Beauty and Winesap.

A close second to Julian's apples are its pears. From about 1925 to 1960 more pears were being shipped out of Julian than apples. Pear varieties include Bartlett, Red Bartlett, de'Anjou, Bosc and du Comice.

Today, you can find a variety of Julian's produce at local fruit stands and orchards. Apples and pears are still some of the most popular, but peaches, cherries and various other fruits and vegetables are now rounding out Julian's fine local produce.

Grapes also have made a name for themselves through Julian vineyards like Menghini Winery. If you are interested in tasting some of Julian's edible gold visit some of the places listed below.

Meyer Orchards

Apples, Peaches, Pears, Olives, etc.

Open Friday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

3962 Highway78 in Wynola

760-765-0233

MJ Ranch

You-Pick-Your-Own Apples and Pears

Open Sept. 15

1070 Farmer Road

www.julianapples.com

Peacefield Orchard

You-Pick-Your-Own Apples, Seven Varieties

Open Monday through Thursday and Saturdays

3803 Wynola Road

760-443-3930

Ravenhill Orchard

You-Pick-Your-Own Apples

Julian Orchards Drive

760-765-2431

Sherrill Orchards

Apples, Pears, Olives, Vegetables, Pumpkins, etc.

30263 Highway 78 in Santa Ysabel

760-765-1124

www.sherrillorchard.com

Volcan View Farm

Organic Produce, Fresh Flowers

Open Saturday 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. and Wednesday 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Wynola Ranch Market

Bailey Creek Ranch

Organic Produce Apples, Peaches, Pears, Plums, etc.

Open Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday and Sunday

10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

4470 Highway 78 in Wynola

760-765-0141