In 1541 Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto found Native Americans growing and eating pawpaws in the valley of the Mississippi.

John Filson (1784), an early settler in Kentucky stated: “the pappa-tree does not grow to a great size, is a soft wood, bears a fine fruit much like a cucumber in shape and size, and tastes sweet.”

Daniel Boone and Mark Twain were pawpaw fans.