Welcome to the Historic Orchard

The Historic Orchard is a 3.3-acre site planted in 1994 and located in Guadalupe Gardens just south of Taylor Street, adjacent to the Heritage Rose Garden and River Park trails. The map below shows what kinds of trees used to grow in the Santa Clara Valley. In the 1930s and ’40s almost everyone who lived here was engaged in the business of fruit production: growing, picking, packing, canning, selling, or otherwise supporting the industry. Today, with very few orchards remaining, this is a place where adults and children can come to experience a piece of local history. Fruit harvested from the Historic Orchard is donated to Second Harvest of Silicon Valley and local shelters.

What trees used to grow here?

The orchard was planted with over 200 fruit trees: cherries, apricots, prunes, apples, and more, that were grown in the Valley over the last century.

The Valley of Heart's Delight

The orchard is a living example of an earlier lifestyle and the fruit-picking economy that once drove the Santa Clara Valley.

Volunteering in the Orchard

Community workdays typically occur the first Saturday of the month from 9:00-11:30am. Signups are available through our Eventbrite page.

Orchard Revitalization

The Historic Orchard is in the process of being revitalized with updates to the site that include new irrigation and trees! Learn more about this exciting project!