HISTORY
Who are we and how did we get here?
Our story is a good one. We are proud to have been a
part of this community for so long.
Our story is a good one. We are proud to have been a
part of this community for so long.
HISTORY
19th CENTURY BEGINNINGS...
|
R-P Nurseries was established in 1866 by William Rakestraw and Josiah Pyle as The Rakestraw-Pyle Company (a.k.a. Willowdale Nurseries). Starting out as a bare root tree operation that shipped its trees all over the East coast, we also had greenhouses along Route 82. It was later taken over by Thomas Rakestraw. Over the years, the focus shifted to landscaping and grounds maintenance... 
The Rakestraw-Pyle Co. circa 1870s
|
Our Founding Fathers
|
INTO THE 20th and 21st CENTURY
In 1984, William Rakestraw's great-great-great nephew,
Richard Pratt, along with his wife Kathy, took over the business and renamed it R-P Nurseries. In late 1984 we opened our Gift Shop, and in 1985 we opened our Garden Center. In 1991 we moved into our current gift shop space. In 1997 we built our new greenhouses.
In 2010 we added additional greenhouse space. In 2017 we expanded our tree display areas. In 2024 we made improvements to our annual display areas. After 158 years, we are still owned and operated by the same family, giving us the distinction of being the oldest family run nursery in the United States!
Richard Pratt, along with his wife Kathy, took over the business and renamed it R-P Nurseries. In late 1984 we opened our Gift Shop, and in 1985 we opened our Garden Center. In 1991 we moved into our current gift shop space. In 1997 we built our new greenhouses.
In 2010 we added additional greenhouse space. In 2017 we expanded our tree display areas. In 2024 we made improvements to our annual display areas. After 158 years, we are still owned and operated by the same family, giving us the distinction of being the oldest family run nursery in the United States!
