Our legacy began in the spring of 1906, when the Reverend John Gourley came to the Magic Valley from Pennsylvania to establish the First Presbyterian Church of Twin Falls. Two of the Reverend’s children arrived with him, Margaret and John Steele Gourley.

On May 8, 1908, having decided that the climate inside the Snake River Canyon was ideal for cultivating stone fruit, and utilizing money borrowed from his father and brother, John Steele Gourley obtained land and water under Idaho’s Carey Act. He set to work planting clearing sage brush and moving rock to make way for groves of apple, peach, and cherry trees along the banks of the Snake River. The canyon rocks provide continued warmth after sunset, while the river helps stabilize spring time temperature fluctuations.

To make a little money while the trees were maturing, John grew melons between the rows of trees. Each week he would make the full day trip into Twin Falls by wagon, where folks would come from their homes and meet him in the neighborhood alleys to purchase his exceptional produce.

Love for the orchard was carried down through John’s daughter, Mary Anne Gourley Kelley, and then to her son Richard Kelley. Through the 50 plus years of owning and operating the orchard, Richard expanded the total acreage and added plums, apricots, nectarines, and vegetables.

Today, Kelley’s Canyon Orchard is owned and operated by the great, great granddaughters of Reverend Gourley and daughters of Richard — Gretchen and Robin. The orchard has been a family affair for four — now going on five—generations.

As from the beginning, the orchard continues to offer visitors the pick-your-own experience or already picked produce at our on site orchard fruit stand. In fact, we have many stories of repeat customers and generations of families that continue to share the experience with others.

We enjoy sharing the beauty of the orchard and providing fresh, tree ripe fruit to the people of Southern Idaho. Cheers!