The original farm on State Rt. 303, just east of W. 130th St. in Hinckley, Ohio, consisted of 108 acres that were purchased by Arthur W. Bowman in March, 1914. There was a farmhouse, a large bank-barn, a chicken coop and several outbuildings, including one which served as an airplane hanger. Arthur and his wife Nettie raised four sons, Ralph, Earl, Howard and Ward. At Arthur's death in 1948, the farm was divided. 94 acres were bought by Howard; he carried on general farming. In 1964, that property was sold to the Lutheran Cemetery Association of Cleveland. Ward purchased the remaining 14-acre parcel in 1948 and named it Hillside Orchard. Ward and wife June built a new house there for their family of three sons, Allen, Wayne and Thomas.

The original orchard planting on the old farm was started in 1932. It consisted of 180 standard-size apple trees, 180 peach trees, 10 plum trees and 40 pear trees. Some of these trees are still producing today!