File:Orchard at Rattlesnake Springs (1986) (5cd0d6d7-2417-4ef0-8a0f-e9d196a734f2).jpg

Fruit trees with thick, leafy canopies grow in a flat area of short turf, framed by other trees.

IMR Cultural Landscapes Program files

Rattlesnake Springs is the location of the Henry Harrison family homestead, early cattle ranchers to the area. Later, it was a Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) Camp and Works Progress Administration Project. The fruit orchard at Rattlesnake Springs is an historic, contributing element, but existing documentation does not make it clear exactly how far back the original orchard dates. The National Register nomination estimates 1880. According to Harrison family tradition, the fruit orchard, which lies 300 feet northeast of the springs pond, was established by homesteader Henry Harrison soon after construction of his irrigation system in 1881-82. The orchard is located in the present position on the 1921 “Map of the Harrison Ditch System.” It has not been determined if any trees in the orchard date to the homestead family ownership of the property. In 1962-63 the NPS replaced all or most of the old fruit trees with young trees to maintain the characteristics of a homestead or "gentleman farmer" orchard. Many of the trees in the present orchard are difficult to obtain today, even from nurseries specializing in antique varieties. Trees from Harrison's era may have been equally difficult to obtain in the 1960s. The historical location, appearance, and layout of the orchard is maintained.

• Keywords: Rattlesnake Springs; cultural landscape; orchard