As Sullivan County begins to make the transition from summer to autumn, the area is being overtaken by signs of the new season: crisp fall weather, leaves scattered everywhere and, of course, local apples.

Sullivan County was once a major hub for supplying apples to countries across the world. In Callicoon, J.M. Schmidt & Sons Company, of North Branch, shipped 168 train cars full of apples within a single year. Mileses boasted its own cooperage business with the purpose of making barrels for the shipment and storage of apples.

Apples in Sullivan County were also dried and shipped internationally. During the Boer War, the South African Boer army subsisted on Sullivan dried apples. France regularly received shipments of peels and cores to use in the production of brandy.

Because of its climate, Sullivan County was thought to be the quintessential environment for apple orchards. With a high altitude and cool, wet nights, J.M. Schmidt & Sons boasted that the region produced the finest quality of apples.

There will be a meeting of the Basket Historical Society this Saturday, September 22, 2018, 10:30 a.m., at the museum on Route 97 in Long Eddy, NY. The Basket Historical Society preserves and presents the history of the Upper Delaware area. If you are interested in becoming a member or finding out more contact us at baskethistso ciety@gmail.com.