By 1858 on the southeast corner of the crossroads, the Peach Orchard had been planted by Reverend Joseph Sherfy, who had a homestead to the north on the opposite (west) side of the Emmitsburg Road.

[7]: 272  "It was three o'clock before [Confederate] Colonel Alexander, of Longstreet's corps, had his batteries unlimbered in the edge of the woods west and south of the peach orchard.

[4] The 21st Mississippi Infantry Regiment passed through the Peach Orchard toward Bigelow's 9th Massachusetts Battery farther east, also outflanking the 2nd New Hampshire, threatening it to be cut off from the rest of the Union, forcing them to retreat.

Battlefield landscape preservation began in 1883 when peach trees were replanted in the orchard,[6] and in 1896 a cast iron site identification marker was added near the road intersection.

[11] The land bordering the orchard to the east and south was purchased from J. Emory Bair in 1907, and Birney Avenue of 900 ft (270 m) on those 2 sides was piked in 1914.