After more than a century as one of Londonderry’s most beloved agricultural landmarks, Elwood Orchards has closed its doors, ending a 115-year tradition that shaped the town’s identity and created memories for generations of local families.
The announcement came directly from the Elwood family, who shared their gratitude with the community and reflected on the thousands of visitors who made the orchard part of their annual traditions. They spoke of the laughter in the corn maze, the couples who returned year after year because the maze had been their first date, and the families who came back each fall to pick apples and take photos among the trees. “We have wonderful memories and we thank you for that,” the family wrote.
Elwood Orchards began in 1910, when a young Wayland H. Elwood, just 12 years old, took responsibility for the family farm. Over the decades, he expanded the orchards and built a reputation for quality produce and warm hospitality. Wayland worked the land for nearly a century before passing away in 2012 at age 96, leaving the operation to his sons, Wayne and Wayland Jr., who continued the business and added the popular corn maze that became a regional attraction. For 115 years, the orchard stood as a symbol of Londonderry’s agricultural heritage, drawing visitors from across New England.
While the orchard itself has not been publicly listed as sold, the Elwood family did sell a portion of their land in 2022. The Town of Londonderry purchased 54 acres off Nashua Road – property the family had owned since 1949- for $1.5 million. That parcel was acquired for conservation, agriculture, and recreation purposes and remains protected open space. As of now, no public land records indicate that the main orchard property on Elwood Road has changed hands, and the family has not announced a buyer or future plans for the site.
The future of the orchard property remains uncertain, but several possibilities exist based on zoning and town precedent. Londonderry has a strong history of preserving farmland, and a conservation purchase is one potential outcome, which would protect the land as open space or agricultural use. Another possibility is that a new owner could continue farming operations, as the property is already equipped for orchards, pickyourown activities, and seasonal events. Residential development is also possible, depending on zoning and soil conditions, though the town has historically resisted converting prime agricultural land into dense housing. The land could also support a mix of agricultural and recreational uses, such as trails, community gardens, or educational programs.
For now, the community is left with memories of fall afternoons spent wandering the maze, picking apples, and watching the seasons change across the orchard’s rolling fields. The closing of Elwood Orchards marks the end of an era in Londonderry, but the legacy of the Elwood family – and the joy their farm brought to generations – will remain part of the town’s story long after the last apple has been picked.