In Highlands, one of the most historic homes in the area sits above the 5th hole along Cobb Road. Of course, I am referring to Apple Hill. A gentleman by the name of Jackson Johnson first built the home in 1850, making it one of the oldest homes in Highlands. Legend claims the login cabin, made of hand hewn poplar logs, once belonged to the Cherokee Indians. In 1887, the home was sold to Judson Cobb, who came to Highlands to raise cattle, and did so on the property. He was responsible for initially enlarging the home. Many years later, the property was sold to Cason and Nancy Calloway, who named the property Apple Hill because of the many apple trees that grew on the property and also once covered the hillside on #5 and #6 fairways, before the golf course was built.
Today, the apple trees are old and while most of the trees continue to produce fruit, they're in a major state of decline. Each fall, they attract a population of deer and bear, without fail. The two apple trees on the golf course are hollow but continue to hang on. I think it's important we don't lose this history on this part of the golf course. That is why today, we introduced 7 new apple trees to the area! As these trees grow, we may need to remove the older specimens. Regardless, Apple Hill will continue to be Apple Hill, well into the future! I also found a local gentlemen who is well versed in the proper pruning of apple trees. I’m going to spend a few hours with him next Thursday, learning about the proper pruning techniques on apple trees that allow the trees to bear even more fruit. More on this next week!
A combination of Granny Smith and Winesap apple trees were planted along the golf course by Apple Hill.
I do want to thank my friend and Highlands Historian, Ran Shaffner, on the background info on Apple Hill. Ran is a wealth of information and a great resource for this community.