In the first half of the 20th century Lilly Orchard, located some sixteen miles west of the Twin Cities, was one of the more popular area destinations during the crisp fall days of September and October. Seen in this early October 1950 photograph are Orin White, Lilly Orchard manager, and two young customers enjoying the locally grown product. The Tazewell County orchard, located just over the McLean County line, harvested a disappointing 2,000 bushels of apples in 1950, well below the 25,000-bushel bumper crop of the previous year.“Even if I knew that tomorrow the world would go to pieces,” Martin Luther once said, “I would still plant my apple tree.” We agree!
