Our story
Nestled in the heart of Hartford, Ohio, our orchard can be traced back to the Clark family who purchased the main orchard at the end of the Civil War. The story continued as Clarence "Pa" Eucker, a farmer in Ravenna until 1940, bought the west orchard from the McCafferty family. In a twist of fate and needing a storage solution for apples, Pa struck a deal to purchase the main orchard from the Clark family, who had recently installed a new cooler in the 1930s.
Clarence “Pa” Eucker
Ernie Eucker
Picked with care
Following his service as a seabee in World War II, Ernie Eucker joined the family operation alongside his father and younger brother, Walt, in 1945. The Eucker brothers later took over the orchard after the passing of their father in 1964.
In 1971, Ernie became the sole owner when Walt faced severe Alzheimer's. Ernie dedicated himself to expanding Hartford Orchards, transforming it into a cherished and memorable destination for many. Brian, Ernie’s youngest son, managed the operation from 1988 for more than two decades until the Schwartz family acquired the business in April 2017.