Taken in 1948, this photo shows Ernest C. Clendenen, at the age of 81, leaning on his 1936 Chevrolet truck. This workhorse of a truck was used in the orchard as well as making pickups and deliveries.

History

Ernest Clifton Clendenen – Founder of Clendenen Cider Works

Ernest Clifton Clendenen, father of Andrew, grandfather of Clif, and great-grandfather of Drew, was born in Eureka, CA in 1867 shortly after his parents, Andrew and Emeline, arrived from New Brunswick, Canada. It was a long and arduous journey that took them around the stormy Cape Horn. E.C. Clendenen used to say, “ I came around the Horn, and I was born in Eureka.”

Ernest, and his wife, May, bought the land that is the orchard today, in 1908 from E.F. Johnston of Oregon. Among the varieties of apple trees on the property dating back to 1869 were Minkler, Smith’s Cider and Stark – that are still producing apples today. “We use all three in the cider at different times,” Clif said. “The old varieties are blended with other varieties for great flavor.”

When E. C. bought the producing apple orchard, he first packed and shipped apples in wooden boxes that were sold on the San Francisco wholesale market. In 1909 this was an overnight horse-and-cart trip to the docks in Eureka from Fortuna! From the Eureka docks the apple boxes were loaded onto a steamship for the voyage to San Francisco. Word was sent back from San Francisco that one of his shipments had spoiled, and that he wouldn’t be paid for his apples. Wanting to see for himself, E.C. boarded the next steamship, and upon his arrival in S.F., found his apples in perfect condition in the unscrupulous dealer’s warehouse. The old dairy barn across the street from the orchard soon had a small cider press, and the Clendenen’s started pressing and selling fresh apple cider.

After struggling with a manual basket-type press for a few years, Ernest purchased the Mount Gilead No. 4-C Hydraulic Cider and Fruit Press in 1916, a room-sized machine that was shipped from Mt. Gilead, Ohio. Powered by an electric motor, it was capable of producing 100 gallons per hour, allowing uninterrupted pressing while the next batch was prepared.

Andy Clendenen pressing apples with the Mount Gilead Cider and Fruit Press.

Andrew Clendenen

Less than a year after E. C. and May purchased the land, in January of 1909, May gave birth to their son Andrew in the house that is still being used by the family today.

Andy Clendenen rejoined his father in the family business in 1948, after delivering fuel for Shell Oil Company, and serving in the South Pacific during WW II.  In 1960 he moved the business across the street and into a new 1,800 square foot building. It was constructed by the Fortuna firm of T & H Construction and cost $3,829, not including plumbing, electrical or painting. The quality of construction and choice of materials has allowed the building to withstand several major earthquakes over the past forty years.

Young Clif Clendenen with father Andy after harvesting apples.

Clif and Drew Clendenen

Like his father, Andy, Clif took to the business at a young age. Today, Clif and his son Drew are picking apples, pressing, which happens roughly every five days, and welcoming visitors to sample a drink that varies in taste as different varieties become ripe. Clif and Drew blend varieties and each pressing has its own unique taste and texture.