The farm has changed, and the landscape continues to evolve. Perched on a hill in Tioga County, Landon Orchards began in the early 1900s when dairy farmer Benjamin Landon planted apple trees alongside his working farm. Ben and his wife, Gertie Randall, a former teacher, raised their four children in the small house beside the barn, building a life rooted in hard work and community. Their son Roy j
oined the operation as he came of age, and the family eventually sold their dairy cows to focus on apples. Early harvests were hauled by horse-drawn wagon and peddled through nearby neighborhoods. As technology arrived—first a tractor, then a truck—their reach expanded to markets and wholesalers in Elmira. At Lorene Landon’s suggestion, apples were eventually sold directly from the farm, launching the beloved Pick-Your-Own tradition at the white house on Route 414. In 1975, the return of son Allyn brought cider production to the orchard, quickly becoming a favorite. Older trees gave way to dwarf varieties, though many still remember climbing ladders in the original orchard. Today, the apple trees have been removed and the farm is no longer in operation. Over the years, the orchard has been a place where families and neighbors come together, creating memories tied to seasons and time spent together. The land remains, shaped by more than a century of use and change, and continues to evolve.
