From One Apple Tree to a Toledo Treasure
Long before thousands of people came to MacQueen Orchards for apples, cider donuts, pumpkins, fall festivals and a Halloween road race, Hugh MacQueen noticed his neighbor’s apple tree. That observation helped change the direction of a family farm. The MacQueen family traces the orchard to 1936, when Hugh and Martha MacQueen established the apple operation in Holland, Ohio. MacQueen’s official history confirms the date and says 10 acres of the family’s original 25-acre farm were planted with apples. But Jeff MacQueen remembers the family story behind the numbers.
Hugh had come from Canada. Apples weren’t originally the plan. The farm included livestock, corn and grain crops. Garden Road looked nothing like it does today, only a handful of houses were even there. It was when Hugh noticed a neighbor collecting apples that made him ask the question, ‘How many one tree could produce?’. That question is what led to the MacQueens farm.
A Farm that Stayed in the Family
The orchard moved from Hugh and Martha to their son Robert’s generation. Robert graduated from high school in 1954 and chose to stay on the farm. MacQueen’s official history says Robert and Hugh subsequently planted another 15 acres in apples and peaches and built an 8,000-bushel cold-storage facility. Today, MacQueen’s still describes itself as a true family farm with multiple generations involved.
During our interview, Jeff and Aaron MacQueen joked about what growing up inside a family business can actually mean. Jeff described what MacQueen’s means to other families as “tradition.” Aaron offered the MacQueen family version first: “Forced labor.” Anyone who grew up in a family business probably understands both answers. Behind the joke is one reason the orchard feels different. The family isn’t merely attached to the name on the sign. They’re working on the farm and in the business.
What does MacQueen’s mean to Northwest Ohio families?
Jeff didn’t need a complicated answer. “Tradition. Tradition every year, and family oriented.” He sees people returning because there aren’t many experiences quite like spending an October day together on a working farm. That has expanded over the generations. Today MacQueen’s says it grows 16 apple varieties and seven peach varieties. The property also includes its farm market, bakery and sweet shop, cider mill, Martha’s Gifts & Boutique and Christmas Shop. Pick-your-own apple season typically runs from mid-September into the third week of October, depending on weather and crop conditions.
An old farm that keeps changing
Family tradition doesn’t mean freezing the farm in 1936. The MacQueens talked enthusiastically about controlled-atmosphere storage, wholesale operations and the technology involved in keeping fruit fresh. They’ve expanded the experiences surrounding the orchard, too. The family described a new MacQueen’s Adventureland area designed for children, with large slides, a jumping pillow, corn play area, climbing features and farm animals among the planned attractions.
That specific new attraction was described in the interview and should be confirmed with MacQueen’s before publishing operating details or admission information. The broader evolution is clear. The apple farm survived because successive generations didn’t simply preserve what their parents built. They added to it.
The old family home is still part of the experience
One particularly interesting piece of MacQueen history remains right on the property. Martha’s Gifts & Boutique operates in the MacQueen family homestead. MacQueen’s official site still describes it as a two-story gift shop and boutique located in the family’s historic home. That’s what makes MacQueen’s feel less like a manufactured fall attraction. The history isn’t hidden in an archive. You’re walking around inside it.
Start Running for Your Life…
On October 11, 2026, runners will once again gather on Garden Road for the MacQueen’s Run For Your Life 5K, 10K, Challenge and Kids Run. One of the reasons the race is such a success is due to the history of MacQueen’s. Run Toledo comes out and builds the start line, time’s the race, create’s medal’s and a spooky halloween vibe. One thing they can’t manufacture is the 90 years of history though. That’s what MacQueens provides. If you’re looking for a unique race to run during the Halloween season, step into the MacQueens Run for Your Life Race.
