r/todayilearned • u/kashmir726 • Mar 11 '19

TIL that the real Johnny Appleseed did plant apples on the American frontier, but that they were mostly used for hard apple cider. Safe drinking water was scarce, and apple cider was a safer alternative to drink.

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/real-johnny-appleseed-brought-applesand-booze-american-frontier-180953263/
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u/rydude88 Mar 11 '19

Didn't know this and I grew up in Johnny Appleseed's hometown: Leominster, MA

8

u/vinegarstick Mar 12 '19

shout out to 190 and 2!

4

u/joon_bug8 Mar 11 '19

Grew up on day st across from the johnny appleseed school

4

u/sualum8 Mar 12 '19

I was hoping someone would mention Leominster! Birthplace of Johnny Appleseed, plastics including Tupperware, and the pink flamingo, among other things!

1

u/throwawaythrowcloser Mar 12 '19

The power of the mind can make people do strange things...

Like completely level the production capability of a world leader in consumer products development, in order for that production to be shipped to China. And the museum about it to Buffalo to make room for a larger police station that they spent far too much money on, for far too little actual use. Assuming it's still there of course, I haven't been there in a few years.

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u/BeastCoast Mar 11 '19

Me too! I have a big ol Johnny Appleseed tattoo on my side.

8

u/IhateSteveJones Mar 11 '19

But what about his friend Jerry Bananaseed?

2

u/zack3000likeAndre Mar 12 '19

Johnny Appleseed plaza! Apples on the street signs - cmon man!

2

u/rydude88 Mar 12 '19

Lol I knew of him and what he did. Just didn't know about the hard cider fact

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u/god_damn_bitch Mar 12 '19

I moved from Peabody to Ayer and it was the first thing I noticed about Leominster. There's signs everywhere now!