Massachusetts town saves last orchard in Johnny Appleseed's hometown

LEOMINSTER, Massachusetts (AP) -- The last apple orchard in Johnny Appleseed's hometown isn't going to be bulldozed for development after all.

The owner of Sholan Farms has agreed to sell the 169-acre property, including the 52-acre orchard, to the city for $4.75 million rather than convert the land to 161 residential lots.

The apple trees at Sholan Farms weren't planted by John Chapman, who was born here in 1774 and helped introduce apple trees to the Midwest. But the orchard has tremendous importance to the community of 42,000 that is fast changing from a rural outpost to a Boston bedroom community.

A citizens group obtained 4,000 signatures from people wanting to save the orchard from urban sprawl. The group hopes to preserve a sagging barn on the property and create hiking trails.

Mayor Dean J. Mazzarella signed the sale agreement with land owner Paul Possick on Friday.

"I think it strikes a chord with people because the faster we move, as a society, the more we realize we need to slow down, the more history and heritage and traditions become important," the mayor said.

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