The golden state
Drying apricots once carpeted Hollister
There can be little doubt what time of year this photo was
taken. As spring stretches into summer, neat rows of wooden trays,
laden with apricot halves, are left to dry in the sun.
This photo predates the 1906 earthquake that destroyed much of
San Francisco. The quake also toppled the large Victorian structure
in the background, which was the original Sacred Heart School.
The golden state
Drying apricots once carpeted Hollister
There can be little doubt what time of year this photo was taken. As spring stretches into summer, neat rows of wooden trays, laden with apricot halves, are left to dry in the sun.
This photo predates the 1906 earthquake that destroyed much of San Francisco. The quake also toppled the large Victorian structure in the background, which was the original Sacred Heart School.
The two houses are facing Sixth Street, and the one on the left can still be seen at 654 Sixth St., minus its original cupola. The nearby water tower can be spotted in the same block, between Fifth and Sixth, but it is now protected with a wooden enclosure.
Apricots no longer carpet Hollister’s center each summer, but the top quality Royal Blenheim apricots produced locally remain San Benito County’s signature crop.
Apricot products are among the items offered from 3 to 7 pm. each Wednesday through next week at the Hollister Farmers Market at the corner of Fourth and San Benito streets downtown.
This photo and many others are among the items that can be viewed at the San Benito County Historical Museum, located in the Wapple House at Fifth and West streets. Museum hours are 1-3 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday. Admission is free.
Photo courtesy the San Benito County Historical Society
