Piper’s Orchard

Hidden within the sprawling embrace of Carkeek Park lies Piper’s Orchard. It whispers tales of Seattle’s past. This isn’t just any orchard. It’s Seattle’s oldest, a living testament to a family’s resilience and a city’s growth. Piper’s Orchard was born from the ashes of the Great Seattle Fire of 1889. A.W. Piper, a confectioner and city council member, lost his downtown business. He moved his family to a former lumber camp in what is now Piper’s Canyon. The orchard became the heart of their new homestead. Imagine Wilhelmina Piper, Andrew’s wife, tending to rows of heirloom apple trees. She expertly grafted branches, nurturing varieties like Wealthy, King, and Gravenstein. These apples weren’t just for eating. They were the main ingredient in Andrew’s famous pies, sold at his new shop. Piper’s Orchard thrived. The family transported their bounty of fruits and vegetables to market by horse and wagon. After Andrew’s death in 1904, his son Paul continued the tradition. Time marched on, and the city grew. In 1929, Seattle established Carkeek Park, encompassing the Piper family land, including their beloved orchard. Over the years, Piper’s Orchard faded into obscurity. Nature reclaimed the land, obscuring the trees beneath a tangle of overgrowth. Decades passed. Then, in 1981, landscape architect Daphne Lewis stumbled upon a hidden apple tree during a park survey. This chance discovery led to the rediscovery of Piper’s Orchard. Volunteers rallied, clearing away the overgrowth. They revealed nearly 30 surviving fruit varieties, a testament to the Piper family’s legacy. Today, Piper’s Orchard stands revitalized. Volunteers and Seattle Parks staff work together, ensuring its continued existence. The annual Festival of Fruit celebrates the orchard’s bounty. Visitors can taste heirloom apple varieties and even participate in an apple pie baking contest. Piper’s Orchard offers more than just a taste of history. It offers a connection to Seattle’s past, a reminder of the enduring power of nature and community.