From their amazing bakery, to their ice cream shoppe, to their pumpkin patch, to their plentiful array of freshly grown fruits and vegetables, the Big Apple Farm has become a destination spot for many Wrentham and area residents during the year's warmer months.

However, it is little known that the farm — formerly known as Pine Hedge Orchards — has a rich history since its establishment during the Revolutionary War.

Unfortunately, not much is known about the earliest years of the farm, which belonged to Ebenezer Guild and remained in the family until January 1820. After a mere ten months, new owners Simion Wheeler and Stephen M. Pierce sold the farm again in November to Edward and Hannah Gay, who operated the farm for the next 20 years.

Otis and Eliza Cheever acquired the farm from the Gays in 1840 and remained owners through the Civil War, until 1884. Otis, a well-known farm paper publisher, chronicled their work on the farm in his magazine. He is best known for constructing the property's existing farmhouse, and his name now identifies the street running adjacent to the property.

George and Julia Hittinger, who purchased the property from Margaret Ward in 1890, began as cow farmers, but soon shifted their attention to mining after discovering gold in a protrusion of rock. For a few years, mining seemed promising until expense and the mineshaft's flooding halted progress.

After the Hittingers sold the farm in 1897, there was no steady ownership until its purchase by the McGregor family in 1911. It remained a retirement project for Col. William McGregor until 1942, during which time it served as a nursery and surplus plant storage. It was during his ownership that the farm received the name Pine Hedge Orchards, for the many groves of ornamental pine trees the colonel had planted.

In 1950, Thomas and Natalie Morse purchased the property. During their ownership, the farm's dilapidated buildings, old chicken coops and damage from the hurricane of 1939 were either renovated or removed, making it the modern farm that exists today. The basement was converted into cold storage, while the inside of the barn now boasts a large store, as well as viewable bakery and modern fruit sorting areas.

The farm is currently run by son John and wife Peg, who continue to operate the farm under the Morse name and add to the properties rich, diverse history.

The Big Apple is located at 207 Arnold Street, Wrentham, MA. For more information, call (508)-384-3055, or check out their website at www.thebigapplefarm.com