Saying Goodbye to an Old Friend

Hazel Tilton Park is Jacksonville’s oldest piece of surveyed land. After the International and Great Northern Railroad had laid out the city on paper, the square block in its center was donated as City Square before any other lots in town had been promised. For many decades, citizen volunteers maintained the park. CSA Cornel W. Morris helped plant dozens of Magnolia trees in the park. The large Magnolia tree on the northeast corner of Highway 79 and Main Street is the last of those trees.  

On the 10th Anniversary of the United Nations, a Live Oak tree was planted at Larissa and Bolton. At the corner of Highway 79 and Bolton sits another Live Oak tree, this one planted by the Boy Scouts in honor of their scoutmaster, who, along with the Boy Scouts, handled all the maintenance of the park grounds. It is that tree that we memorialize today.  

Since before 1978, the city has had regular health inspections of all the trees in the park. The individual the city has used for inspections is a Nationally Certified Forester from The Society of American Forests. He has a Master’s Degree from Stephen F. Austin State University, specializing in Urban Forestry.   

Over the past two decades, it has become apparent that the canopy on the east side of the Boy Scout tree has been declining. The tree has broken up the sidewalk, and its roots are already under the Vanishing Texana Museum. Some cutting of dead wood and old branches was done a few years ago, not only to protect the public and the museum building but also in hopes of stimulating new growth. Regretfully, new leaves that might have provided photosynthesis for new life never appeared.  

After reviewing the new plans for Hazel Tilton Park with the arborist, it has become apparent that the tree is becoming a danger to children playing or anyone picnicking under its canopy.  The potential for limbs suddenly breaking off is real and the safety of the community is most important. Sadly, this magnificent Live Oak will have to be removed.    

The good news is that Hazel Tilton Park is being transformed. A new concert stage is on order, and grading for its placement will begin soon. Electrical power lines have already been placed underground, and the poles will be removed shortly. Sprinkler systems have been renovated and additional parking across the street will also be coming. While I know we’ll all miss this magnificent tree, the joy of seeing families using the park again will help us to understand.  

Your Vanishing Texana Museum is open every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 11-4.  Admission and parking are free at our 302 S. Bolton location. We look forward to your visit!