‘Historic gem': Decades-old McDonald Peach Orchard property in Apple Valley up for sale
After nearly two decades, the tradition of picking 'Freestone Last Chance Pilgrim Peaches' at Marge 'The Peach Lady' McDonald's orchard is more than likely coming to an end.
Last year, McDonald, 84, told the Daily Press there was a good chance it would be the final year of opening her family's 200-tree McDonald Peach Orchard to children, families, new and old friends.
On Thursday, McDonald said her property was up for sale, and that unless someone rescues the orchard, it was the end of fruitful decades of allowing people of all ages to pick fruit, enjoy the serenity of nature and create lasting memories.
The online Zillow listing said the McDonald ranch property is a "Historic Gem" that spans 4.8 acres and includes a 3,244-square-foot home with six bedrooms, three bathrooms, a fully finished basement and 1,485-square-feet of living space.
A barn is also included on the agricultural property that has a tree orchard, and accommodations for horses and vehicles.
Facing some health issues and the challenges of living down the hill, McDonald said she's going to miss the orchard and feels it's better to spend less time on the freeways when she turns 85 in May.
She added that the rain is wonderful for the old peach trees that produce beautiful pink blossoms in March and a bountiful harvest of freestone Last Chance Pilgrim Peaches every fall.
'The weeds, ground squirrels and gophers all come too, not to mention the raccoons, crows, rabbits, and more,' she added.
Over the years, people have rented her home and tenants have helped with watering, weeding and caring for the property and orchard near the Mojave River.
McDonald said she'll continue to can fruit, play keyboard at Leisure Assembly of God every Sunday and help transport her granddaughters from school and to athletic games, practices and other events.
She added that she is extremely grateful for the support she has received from her daughters, sons-in-law, grandchildren, caretakers and volunteers who helped care for the orchard for so many years.
'I'm thankful to God for salvation, peace, joy, health, home, family, friends and protection in this valley most of my long life,' McDonald told the Daily Press.
McDonald said an open house and barn and garage sale is planned from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 25 and 26 at 18510 Seneca Road in Apple Valley.
In 1892, McDonald's grandfather, William Hartman, moved from his native Germany to the crop-filled state of South Dakota in the U.S.
Around 1926, Hartman moved his family to the High Desert of Southern California, where they planted plum, apple, peach and apricot trees off Stoddard Wells Road in Victorville.
In the '40s, McDonald's parents moved to Apple Valley, where they purchased 95 acres and built a home, raised animals, grew alfalfa and planted fruit trees.
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'I was born in my maternal grandparents' (Lee & Pearl Saul) home in Desert Knolls in 1940,' McDonald said. 'I attended Deep Creek Elementary while living at Jess Ranch.'
In her youth, McDonald helped her parents and siblings farm 95 acres of alfalfa while attending Victor elementary and junior high schools. She graduated in 1957 from Victor Valley High School.
McDonald did secretarial work at Porter Insurance Agency for five years before she married Edward McDonald in 1962.
The couple moved to Baltimore, Maryland for 25 years. During that time, she earned her bachelor's degree and master in education from Towson University.
She also taught at Tabernacle Christian School 16 years, while raising five children and playing the church organ while her husband pastored for 24 years.
In 1987, the couple returned to Apple Valley when her mother, Effie Hartman, had a heart attack and surgery.
Around 1995, McDonald and her husband purchased the last 5 acres of property from her father, Wilmer Hartman, after her mother died.
The property included a house, garage, barn and field. The couple also planted 504 peach trees to honor her late parents.
McDonald said she enjoyed her 33 years of teaching children at Christian and public schools in Maryland and California.
She said that after opening the peach orchard in 2000, people of all ages would trickle onto the property each peach picking season, with her attendance increasing as word of the orchard spread.
During that time, she tended the peach orchard and made many jars of canned peaches, preserves, salsa, and other delicacies.
McDonald's husband retired from Victor Valley Hospital and college before he died in 2008.
Daily Press reporter Rene Ray De La Cruz may be reached at RDeLaCruz@VVDailyPress.com. Follow him on X @DP_ReneDeLaCruz
This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Decades-old McDonald Peach Orchard in Apple Valley up for sale
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