Dougherty Orchards combines family history, communal modernity in 141st year

CAMBRIDGE CITY, Ind. — Pumpkins, apples, a winery, a butterfly garden and flower farm, a petting zoo, live music and delights for the whole family. Hoosiers can look forward to all of these festivities this fall as they head to the oldest apple orchard in the state of Indiana.

Located in Cambridge City, Dougherty Orchards was established in 1883 and continues to be family-owned and operated six generations later — now run by Andra Solis, the great-great-great granddaughter of Founder William Henry Dougherty.

“As a young child, I watched my great-grandparents, grandparents and parents work our orchard and farm,” said Solis. “The legacy of loving the land, family and community is the heart of our business.”

Solis and her two siblings, Shannan and Tyler, inherited the orchard in 2004, following the untimely death of their parents. In 2016, Solis purchased the orchard from them and began sole ownership alongside her husband and five children. She added the 1883 Winery & Bar to the facility that same year, which offers 15 different wines, wine slushes and beer.

Dougherty Orchards is now in its 141st year and is expecting an impressive turnout this fall. But what has allowed it to stay in business for nearly a century and a half?

According to Solis, it’s the combination of a rich history and modernization.

“Community engagement is another cornerstone of this legacy,” she said. “Hosting seasonal events, educational tours and family-friendly activities keeps the local community deeply connected to the orchard.”

Solis also highlighted the orchard’s time-honored traditions of apple picking and fresh-pressed cider, which guests have come to love for generations.

Yet Dougherty Orchards is much more than your standard apple orchard.

“Hoosiers of every age will enjoy the petting farm, where they can meet friendly farm animals and feed them from our notorious ice cream cones (filled with animal food, not ice cream of course!),” said Solis.

Apart from a petting zoo, families can enjoy a new addition to the orchard: The Flower Field and Butterfly Garden, launched just last year. Solis called this spot “…a lovely place to unwind together” and noted the presence of seasonal blooms: lavender, sunflowers and zinnias for this autumn.

The orchard also prides itself as an event venue. It hosts free, family-friendly live music every Friday from 7 to 10 p.m.

In addition, in between the apple orchards and fields is a renowned spot for weddings and events. According to Dougherty Orchards, this is a 4800-square-foot pavilion, which features a gazebo, a view of the orchards and the ability to seat up to 200 people.

Dougherty Orchards’ story wasn’t always easy though, according to Solis.

“My husband and I have fought through multiple seasons of crop damage and loss from frost and drought,” she said. “It’s a lot of hard work and sacrifice but we love that we can continue the legacy and hope to one day pass the business on to the 7th generation [our children]”.

And one statement that makes the sacrifice worth it? Solis said it’s a phrase she constantly hears from her guests: “Your parents or grandparents would be so proud of what you’ve done to continue the legacy of the orchard.”

This dedication eventually allowed Dougherty Orchards to receive the Wayne County Outstanding Service to Agriculture Award in 2020. The orchard was even featured in a November 2023 episode of 90 Day Fiancé.

For more information — including fall hours — check out Dougherty Orchards’ website .

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