Massachusetts is a history buff’s dream. Everywhere you look, old colonial buildings, native sites, and industrial landmarks stand ready to teach you about this state’s past. However, there’s one little-known site in Danvers that holds a special spot in the history books. Here’s what you need to know about the Endicott Pear Tree, the oldest fruit tree on the continent.
Tucked away in the little town of Danvers, Massachusetts, a small fruit tree stands in the shade of larger trees, surrounded by an iron fence. It doesn’t look like anything special at first glance, but this little tree is actually the oldest cultivated fruit tree in North America!
The Endicott Pear Tree was planted around 1632 by John Endecott, the then-governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. He had sailed from England to Salem in 1628 and is considered one of the Fathers of New England. In addition to being a staunch Puritan, Endecott was a lover of fruit trees and planted many on his 300-acre property in Danvers. What is now known as the Endicott Pear Tree was one of his prize trees. The fruit was so good that even former President John Adams took clippings for his own estate. Despite hurricanes, blizzards, and a vandalism incident in the 1960s that hacked the tree down to just a few inches of stump, the pear tree has survived and flourished. At more than 350 years old, it’s considered to be the oldest cultivated fruit tree on the entire continent. The tree was named a National Monument in 2011 and was even cloned in 1997.
Part of what makes this attraction so unique is that there isn’t any flashy visitor center or signage anywhere. Nothing but a simple plaque and an iron fence marks the tree out as anything special, which means that you’ll almost certainly have this spot all to yourself if you visit.
You can find the tree at the bottom of a hill behind a large business park in Danvers. Park (for free) behind the nearby Mass General building and walk along the path until you find the tree and its iron fence. And if you love hunting down hidden gems, try finding this quietly famous lighthouse in Massachusetts.
Address: 100 Endicott Street, Danvers, MA, 01923
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