History of an urban oasis examined in new book

The fascinating history of one of Tacoma’s more popular parks is told in this new book. One of the authors, Melissa McGinnis, is the historic and cultural resource manager for Metro Parks. The other, Doreen Beard-Simpkins, worked for Metro Parks for 22 years before moving to an administrative position at Pacific Lutheran University.

They have split the book into seven chapters.

The first covers the origins of the park. The land that eventually became Wright Park was donated by Tacoma Land Company, a subsidiary of Northern Pacific Railroad. Charles B. Wright was president of Tacoma Land Company. Within a few years the park was named in his honor.

Chapter Two, “Tacoma’s Jewel Box,” examines the history of W.W. Seymour Conservatory. In 1906 William Wolcott Seymour donated $10,000 to the city, requesting it be used in an unspecified manner to beautify the city. The chapter briefly covers the lobbying from different organizations with different ideas on how to spend the money. Tacoma City Council recommended a botanical conservatory. Metropolitan Park District of Tacoma, which was created in 1907, took this advice.

One interesting photograph shows Ebenezer R. Roberts standing next to some tropical plant that towers above him. The book provides considerable information on Roberts, a park superintendent and gardener who had a major impact on Wright Park and other parks in the city.

Several photos show minor alterations that have been made to the conservatory over the years.

Chapter Three, “The Wright Park Neighborhood,” covers the surrounding area and the interaction between the park and the people and institutions in its vicinity.

Annie Wright School was originally located very close to the park before moving to its current site in 1924. The school was named after Wright’s daughter. Pictures in this and other chapters show students and teachers from the school holding various activities in the park.

One woman who had a considerable impact on Tacoma died before she was able to live here. This chapter tells the sad story of Fannie Paddock who, with her husband John, an Episcopal bishop, traveled from their home in New York City to San Francisco by rail. From there they boarded a ship bound for Tacoma, where John Paddock was assigned to his new job. Fannie Paddock began planning and fundraising for a hospital for Tacoma even before leaving New York. Alas, she died of pneumonia on the ship. Her husband kept her dream alive, establishing Fannie C. Paddock Memorial Hospital in Old Town in 1882. Seven years later it relocated to a site near Wright Park. It became Tacoma General Hospital in 1915.

There are several pages of photos of churches in the neighborhood, as well as images of houses, apartments and businesses such as the popular Hob Nob Café.

Prominent Tacomans were inspired by the impressive statues of European cities and wished the same for their hometown, as seen in Chapter Four, “Statues, Monuments and a Tree Stump.”

The history behind statues of lions and maidens is covered. Some photos depict statues that did not stand the test of time, such as “Winged Mercury,” the Greek messenger of the gods. Some statues were destroyed by vandals; others succumbed to the elements. The chapter gives brief but informative descriptions of the statues.

Chapter Five, “Arboreal Splendor,” provides all the information you would likely ever need to know about trees in the park.

Chapter Six covers the park’s history as a place for public gatherings, from the Rose Carnival of the early era to May Day events, Easter egg hunts and Ethnic Fest. President Theodore Roosevelt gave a speech in the park in 1903. Among the more interesting photos in the entire book is one of the present he received from park district employees – a chair made of elk antlers.

The last chapter, “A Walk In The Park,” is about Tacomans enjoying activities ranging from lawn bowling to checkers to playing on the swing set.

Readers will likely recognize some people they know in the photographs. I saw several – Metro Parks Commissioner Victoria Woodards, Lois Starks, a planner with Metro Parks, and Tim Thompson, now a governmental affairs consultant, shown when he was on the staff of Congressman Norm Dicks planting a tree with then-Mayor Karen Vialle. Some older Tacomans will no doubt recognize childhood friends or former neighbors throughout the book.

The authors will discuss the book at King’s Books, 218 St. Helens Ave., at 7 p.m. Aug. 21. The event is free and open to the public.

Commenting rules