100 Years Ago this week
1923 Leader, #1999.36.103, JCHS collection
Headline, Friday, Dec. 7, 1923
STATE FLOWER PROTECTION
Devastation of
Peninsula Acres to Be Stopped.
HADLOCK-IRONDALE AREA DECLARED WONDER
Washington Natural Parks Association Widely Supported in Move
The “Save the Rhododendron” campaign has been begun.
Herbert Evison, secretary of the Washington Natural Parks Association, visited Port Townsend and other Olympic Peninsula points a few days ago and declared that several organizations are backing the move.
Jefferson, Kitsap, Mason and Clallam counties are naturally most interested in this move to protect the rhododendron from the willful destroyers and wasteful week-end motor tourists, for in these counties the state flower flourishes in great profusion.
Mr. Evison was especially impressed with the Hadlock-Irondale rhododendron area, declaring it to be the largest and most prolific in this part of the state.
With the Washington Natural Parks Association leading the way several other prominent organizations have already endorsed the move. They are the Auto Club of Washington, the Mountaineers Club, Seattle Chamber of Commerce, State Parks Committee, State Federation of Women’s Clubs and the Seattle Federation of Women’s Clubs. A host of civic bodies have also been asked to aid in the move and the Port Townsend Commercial Club will move in the matter this month.
Would Guard Areas.
Mr. Evison stated that plans were already under way to locate the heaviest rhododendron bearing acreage definitely, map them and obtain permission from the owners to place prohibitory signs and guard such areas against the motoring marauders.
In such areas as the Hadlock-Irondale district on the Quimper Peninsula, it is planned to post guards, during the week-ends especially, to prevent wholesale and ruthless picking of open flowers and the cutting of whole bushes.
No attempt is to be made to prevent motorists from taking budding flowers in reasonable quantities, but the practices of filling car tonneaus with them and then throwing them away enroute, as has been done, must be stopped. Many Kitsap county areas have already been devastated and stripped of the luxuriant state flower growth that formerly was an annual attraction.
Note: The Pacific or coast rhododendron (Rhododendron macrophyllum) was selected as the state flower in 1892 by a vote of Washington women. However, it wasn’t until 1959 that the State Legislature officially granted this designation.
Tourist Campsites
The Washington Natural Parks Association, organized and supported by hundreds of prominent citizens throughout the state “to preserve Washington’s heritage of scenic beauty,” is very active.
It has progressive reforestation policies, exchange of scenic highway areas for state timber, and is now examining the various federal reservations abandoned by the war department in August to the Interior Department.
Vancouver, or Contractor’s point on the west side of Discovery bay may be used as a state tourist camp park. That point was selected by Captain George Vancouver, the explorer, for his first winter quarters for hauling out and repairing the ships under his command.
This point and others on the peninsula recently abandoned as military reservations, will be planned as state tourist camp parks with many improvements and proper care.
Note: Herbert Evison worked at both State and National levels to establish parks for conservation and recreation. In “The Park Builders: A History of State Parks in the Pacific Northwest” by Thomas R. Cox (1988), it is noted that “From its beginnings, the state parks movement in the Pacific Northwest was intimately tied to efforts to save roadside beauty.”… “Concerns both for establishing parks and for preserving roadside trees were, in the Northwest at least, products of the automobile revolution.”
FLOWER VANDALS ARE AGAIN AT WORK
Mayor Fullerton offers $10 reward for evidence leading to the conviction of the flower vandals who tore four fine roses out of the parking strip in front of his residence Wednesday night. During the past few years this practice of plant thievery has become altogether too prevalent and garden owners are proposing to organize and offer a standing reward for evidence that will fasten guilt for such depredations. This city has a high reputation for its fine gardens and the work of a ruthless few has a very discouraging effect on those who take pride in the appearance of their property.
2003 Leader, #2012.2.823, JCHS collection
Stories, ads, photos and other information were retrieved from Port Townsend Leader archives from the Collection of the Jefferson County Historical Society. Additional on-line and library resources were also used.
