A Grand Junction Landmark Is Facing A Big Question

Cross Orchards has been an important part of the Grand Valley since the early 1900s. It once covered nearly 250 acres with over 22,000 apple trees, but now the historic site’s future is uncertain.

Museums of Western Colorado is looking for someone new to operate the site, with its current operation expected to end in January 2027. Exactly who will take over and what the property will look like are still a mystery.

So, What Exactly Is Happening to Cross Orchards?

What Happens Next to This Piece of Grand Junction History?

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KKCO reports that the Museums of Western Colorado plans to end its operation of Cross Orchards in January 2027 as part of its broader plan to create a unified museum campus in Fruita. The organization is searching for a new operator and says it wants the historic site to remain open rather than be permanently closed or redeveloped.

Why Cross Orchards Matters: This Isn't Just an Old Farm

Cross Orchards is a rare chance to see history in action, with a century-old barn, blacksmith shop, heirloom gardens, and the Uintah Railway exhibit, helping visitors understand how people actually lived and worked in the early days of Grand Junction. In other words, Cross Orchards doesn't just tell Grand Junction's agricultural story from behind glass. You can walk through it, hear it, see it, and, on some days, even ride through it.

Cross Orchards Is Still Welcoming Visitors

A Grand Junction Landmark Is Facing A Big Question

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While January will be here before we know it, Cross Orchards isn’t gone just yet.  September brings Farmers Markets on September 5, 12, and 19, followed by Oktoberfest on September 19 from 1 to 6 p.m. The site also hosts the free History Alive Colorado West Chautauqua on September 12 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. These events are a good way for those interested in taking over the site to experience the grounds as the next chapter is decided.