The Art of the Washington State Apple
Discover How One Apple Tree Birthed a Billion Dollar Apple Industry
The Art of the Washington State Apple
Discover How One Apple Tree Birthed a Billion Dollar Apple Industry
Lisa Tracy
Lisa Tracy
Embedded Files
Discover How One Apple Tree Birthed a Billion Dollar Apple Industry
"Part lyrical memoir, part richly textured historical narrative, The Art of the Washington State Apple is a meticulously researched exploration of the state’s most iconic fruit. Lisa Tracy follows the apple’s journey through generations of change in Washington—from early homesteads to sprawling commercial orchards—while rooting the narrative in the personal history of her own family. With the soul of a poet and the precision of a historian, Tracy brings to life the growers, communities, and landscapes that shaped the apple’s enduring legacy. A feast for the senses and the mind, this is regional history at its most intimate and illuminating."
—Dr. Jessica K. Sklar, Professor of Mathematics, Pacific Lutheran University
The Legacy of Washington Apples: A Visual Journey Through History and Culture
My connection to Washington State apples is more than a passion—it’s part of my heritage. Born and raised here, cradled by fir-covered hills and sunlit orchards, I carry Washington in my bones.
My ancestry reaches back to 1845, in what was then Oregon Country—before my family eventually made their way north into Washington in the decades that followed—when the West was still being carved by hand and hope. Pioneering westward along the Oregon Trail, my family brought with them a single apple sapling, which they planted in that early frontier soil—rooting our family’s story in the same ground that would become the heart of Washington’s apple legacy.
In 1826, a handful of apple seeds traveled from London to the banks of the Columbia River, where they were planted at Fort Vancouver. Only one seed took root, growing into a tree that thrived nearly 200 years. That Old Apple Tree, which died in 2020, stood as the matriarch of Washington’s apple industry—a living symbol of resilience and growth.
The Columbia River Tribal Peoples cultivated this land, laying the foundation for the orchards that would follow. From the sunlit Wenatchee Valley to the engineered waterways of the Columbia Basin, Washington’s landscapes tell a story of transformation.
The Art of the Washington State Apple blends history, culture, and stunning imagery to celebrate this legacy—the apples, the land, and the generations who shaped this thriving industry. This isn’t just a coffee table book; it’s a tribute to resilience, sustainability, and the enduring spirit of Washington’s iconic orchards.
Perfect for anyone who loves Washington State history, Indigenous culture, agricultural heritage, or the simple beauty of a freshly picked apple.
Discover this rich heritage for yourself—
order your copy today and take a journey through the heart of Washington’s apple country.
"This book reads very well and connects the author's ancestry to the apple world. It is engaging, highlights Indigenous Peoples, and explores the history of the apple industry in Washington State and the Northwest. It also points to the importance of the communities mutually impacted by apples. All in all, I think every household should read this book; it is much needed for this region."
—Dr. Warren W. Buck III, Founding Chancellor and Professor Emeritus, University of Washington Bothell
The author, pressing cider alongside her family on a golden autumn day.
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