The last time I wrote about Pioneer Orchard near Jackson, I got taken to the woodshed because I didn’t differentiate between the various Pioneer Orchards.
You can read the original stories and comments here:
Pioneer MARKET is closed
To be clear, it is Pioneer Market on 72 west of Jackson that has closed.
Missourian business reporter Amity Downing Shedd wrote in her blog Oct. 18, 2013, “A person reached by phone Friday at Pioneer Orchard’s Market in Jackson confirmed that the market is closing Oct. 31. The owner of the business, Sam Beggs, is retiring, the source said. The business has been family-owned and operated since the 1960s.”
Houses where trees used to be
This shot out behind the market shows acres of homes where trees used to be.
Row of greenhouses
Here’s a row of greenhouses standing empty.
Greenhouse surprisingly warm
The greenhouses were crudely, but effectively put together using sheets of plastic instead of the old-fashioned glass panes. It was cold and windy when I shot these photos, but the inside of the greenhouse was 10 or 15 degrees warmer than the outside air.
“On the right agoin’ out and on the left acommin’ in. Right where all them trees are.” It runs through my mind most every time I go by there. Things can’t improve if they don’t change. These changes that WE see may not look good to us but they will be the memories of another generation who will probably want it to look as it does now instead of the inevitable changes in their future. Progress (Beauty) is in the eye of the beholder.
and…”Every day is harvest day at Pioneer!”
Jackson was in another country to most in Cape, but do remember this place!
I am not familiar with Pioneer Market but I think it is sad to see another housing development take over an area where trees once thrived. I saw that same thing happen all over St. Charles County, Mo. I can remember beautiful farms that was country life not too long ago and is now all roof tops for acres and miles. These developments will last only a brief lifetime and then people will move on to another new development. Where is the food going to come from?
Another part of the Beggs family legacy falls away. Stanley Beggs in Jackson, and Bill Beggs in Cape on Silver Springs Road were two great guys to work for. Their two orchards, the one in Jackson primarily growing apples and the one in Cape primarily growing peaches provided many families and stores in our area great fresh fruit.
The Postashnick (sp?) family at Northland Orchard on Cape Rock drive, the Rau family orchard on Oriole Road and the Diebolds in Kelso were also great places to visit for fresh fruit. I particularly remember the fresh apple cider we used to get from Northland orchard, and the memories of it flow with any sip of good cider.
I was there as an employee In 1966 HELPING SAM BEGGS TO SET UP SOME THE DISPLAYS AND GETTING READY TO CONTINUE THE MARKET AS A YEAR ROUND BUSINESS INSTEAD OF THE SEASONAL APPROACH THAT HAD BEEN GOING ON VERY SUCCESSFULLY FOR YEARS. MY WIFE MARGE BOTH WORKED THERE FULL TIME. IT WAS A WONDERFUL GROUP OF FOLKS TO WORK FOR AND WE MET MANY FRIENDS IN THE TIME WE WERE THERE. MY WIFE AND I LIVE IN LOUISVILLE, KY. WE HAPPENED TO BE RETURNING FROM A WEEK IN BRANSON, MO.AND CAME THROUGH JACKSON ON THE LAST DAY THAT THE MARKET WAS OPEN. WE WERE THERE THE DAY IT OPENED AND THE DAY THAT IT CLOSED. IT WAS SAD TO HERE IT WAS CLOSING. IT WAS A NEAT PLACE FOR THE COMMUNITY TO FIND GOOD FAIR PRICED FOOD AND FUN. AL BROWN 4/26/2014