In late 1800s, Virginia native became Riverside's apple male

Back in the early years of Riverside, one well-known man was Peter Atticus Forsee.

Forsee had a reputable apple orchard up in Mill Creek Canyon in the San Bernardino Mountains. He regularly entered into Riverside to sell his apples. For the numerous East Coast transplants living in early Riverside, fresh apples were likely a tasty reward, considering that they could not grow their own apples in the warm winter seasons of the Riverside location.

According to various records, Forsee was born in Virginia about 1816. The 1852 California census listed Forsee as living in El Dorado County in northern California.

Riverside was founded in 1870, but prior to then Forsee might offer the fruits of his land in the city of San Bernardino. Riverside's founding offered Forsee another market for his apples.

In February 1879, Riverside's first citrus fair was held. However, all vegetables and fruits were welcome to be judged and Forsee sent a variety of his apples to the fair. His Baldwin apples were judged "very first premium" in the deciduous fruit category for winter season apples. He likewise won very first premium for fall apples for two ranges: White Winter Pearman and Spitzenburg. The White Winter Pearman apple is likewise referred to as White Pearman of Indiana, so he likely understood of that type when he still lived in Indiana.

In late October 1886, the Riverside Daily Press pointed out that Forsee remained in town with his apples and cider.

" Uncle Forsee's apples are practically as excellent as they grow 'em," the Daily Press reported. On Dec. 1, 1886, the Daily Press reported that Forsee's ranch had to do with at the 4,000-foot level which he had actually dropped off a "fine lot of his best fruit" for the staff members of that newspaper.

In November 1888, the Daily Press reported that Forsee had passed away at his home in El Monte at the "sophisticated age" of 74. Forsee had moved off his ranch already. The Daily Press stated that he had actually had "probably the finest apple orchard in the state."

Forsee Creek and Forsee Creek Trail in the San Bernardino Mountains are called for Forsee. Forsee Creek begins near Anderson Peak and clears into the Santa Ana River near Seven Oaks Dam.

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