Our History
Thomas Drought came to Wisconsin and settled on this very land in 1840. He bought the land from the United States Government through a land patent dated December 10, 1840. It was the last great chunk of state land open for sale. Thomas married Caroline in 1842 and along with their twelve children they developed the land and lived a comfortable life because of their untiring labor. Today, this same land is registered as the oldest homestead in Racine County that has remained in the same family name and is currently owned by Jim and Carolyn Drought. Which is why the name Old Homestead for the current orchard operations seemed appropriate.
There has been an orchard on this land from the beginning which has included apples, pears, plums, berries and nuts. Wesley Drought, Thomas’s grandson, had a strong interest in horticulture and he was continuously adding new fruit and apple varieties to the family orchard. It wasn’t until the 1950’s that Wesley took his orchard to a different level. By this time, he had approximately 50 apple, pear and plum trees that were providing him with a well needed income. Wesley was doing something he had an interest in as well as a passion for. The orchard was Wesley’s pride and joy and he was well known in the area for producing some of the finest apples. Wesley lived and worked on the homestead until his death in 1976.
Todays orchard only has a few of Wesley’s original trees but the orchard spirit has carried on through the current owner, Jim Drought. After many hours spent working the orchard with him, Jim inherited Wesley’s interest in the orchard.
Jim’s wife, Carolyn, continues to evolve the orchard store from the lean-to it was in the beginning into the destination shop it is today. Over the years the Drought children have helped in the endeavor to ensure the tradition continues.
As Jim inherited the orchard spirit from Wesley, his daughter Lindsey has inherited her orchard spirit from Jim. Old Homestead Orchard is rich in family and tradition. Many of the smiling faces helping at the orchard are family (or honorary family) and every apple you pick has been a labor of love since 1832.
From our family to yours we look forward to celebrating our 75th season.
Sincerely,
the Droughts
