Former Pennybacker Orchards Owner Speaks to Upper Milford Historical Society

“Dwarf trees were a blessing,” said Zionsville resident Abe Pennebacker to members of the Upper Milford Historical Society. “They were only six to eight feet high and a lot easier to take care of.”

He was the guest speaker at the historical society's April 28 meeting, describing to the nearly three dozen in attendance his life as the owner of Pennebacker Orchards. 

The Zionsville orchards were located along Route 100, near the Berks County line. Zionsville Antique Mall is now located in what was once the packing house for the orchards. 

Everything came in from the orchards, he said, and was placed into baskets.  “There was no refrigeration in the packing house for cold storage,” he added, “until the 1950s.”

Employees worked seven days a week when the fruit was ripe. The 15 to 20 employees had to pick everything by hand, bring it into the packing house, sort it and put it into baskets to sell.

Ray Mohr, historical society member, recalled when he worked at the orchards during his youth in the 1930s.  “My arms got all itchy from the fuzz on the peaches,” he recalled. “I hated that.” 

Pennebacker took over the family business around 1950 and ran it for 44 years before selling it, he said, growing apples, cherries, peaches and nectarines on the 135 acres.  Several varieties of apples were grown in the orchard, such as Rome Beauty, Winesap, Stayman, Red Delicious and Golden Delicious. 

“Trees had to be sprayed with special chemicals,” he said, “in order to control insect damage and diseases.” 

Weather was also a big factor with how the fruit crop would turn out, according to Pennebacker.  If the temperature dropped close to freezing in early spring, after the trees budded, usually all the buds would fall off – which meant no fruit.  He also said hail was a disaster and could ruin a crop in seconds.

Cherries were the most difficult crop to grow, said Pennebacker.  The birds would eat them before they were even ripe. Even turkeys would fly into the cherry trees and eat them. 

Following his talk, several members of the audience who also worked at the orchards, chatted with Pennybacker about their various experiences.

The Upper Milford Township Historical Society continues to work on a book about the township; however, pictures are still needed.  Contact Rose Parry at 610-966-4851 for information. The book is expected to be ready for sale sometime in 2012.

Esther Martin, member of the historical society, celebrated her 89th birthday with the group with pie ala mode.