Eagles have Landed

The Development of

MEMORIAL PARK

Jacksonville, Florida

Designed by the Olmstead Brothers

Brookline, Massachusetts

November 12, 1918 Movement started by the Jacksonville Rotary Club to honor

Florida's 1,200 dead in World War L (Duval County, 108 whites

49 black victims). Idea was proposed by George W. Hardee,

Rotary President.

June , 1919 Jacksonville purchased a 6.1 acre tract on Riverside Avenue for a waterfront

Memorial Park for $125,000. The land had already been bulkheaded along

the waterfront and filled by private parties by pumping in sand from the river.

1919- 1920 A Citizen Committee was appointed to work with the City in the

planning of the park to raise funds for the Memorial:

Morgan V. Gress, Chairman

George W. Hardee, Vice Chairman

Mrs. Arthur G. Cummer, Treasurer

Miss Edith Gray and

Mrs. McGarvey Cline, Secretaries

1920 The Citizens Committee selected Charles Adrian Pillars, St. Augustine,

as the sculptor for a bronze memorial statue which would be the focal

point of the park. Pillar's idea was to depict the struggle of life and

its subsequent victory. The Committee raised $52,000. for the statue and park.

1921-1922 The nationally famous Olmsted Brothers of Brookline, Massa­chusetts

designed the park. James Frederic Dawson, a member of the Olmsted firm,

worked with the Jacksonville Committee. The Olmsted plans were slightly

revised by Roy Benjamin, Jacksonville architect who designed the Florida

Theatre.

Spring 1922 Pillars submitted sketches of bronze statue to Olmsted.

October 1922 Preliminary improvements of park began. Soil was hauled in to raise the

level and furnish a place for planting. Oak trees were planted.

December 25, 1924 Memorial statue "Life" and Park were dedicated to Florida's dead

in World War I. Sealed in the cornerstone are parchments upon

which were written the names of the 1,200

Floridians who died in the conflict. Statue was unveiled by

two little girls, Mary Burroughs and Mary Bedell. (A 4-year

effort by Pillars, a 6-year effort by Citizens Committee).

1926 First set of eagles made of concrete/coquina were installed.

March 22,1985 Memorial Park was listed in the National Register of Historic

sites. It is recognized as a National Register Property.

December 9,1986 Memorial Park Association, Inc. organized to promote the

preservation and restoration of this valuable City landmark

site.

March 23, 1987 Memorial Park Association, Inc. entered into an agreement with

Jacksonville's Department of Recreation under the City's Adopt-A

Park Ordinance.

January, 1988 Memorial Park Association received a $5,000.00 matching grant

from Florida's Historic Advisory Council for restoration plans for the

Park. This job was undertaken by BHR Plan­ning Group,

Jacksonville. Two landscape architects, C. James King and Marty

Child participated in the design following the original Olmsted

drawings.

January , 1992 The Association received a second matching grant for $37,000.00

from Florida's Historic Advisory council to restore and preserve

Adrian Pillar's bronze statue "Life", the focal spot of the park. The

work was done by Washington Uni­versity Technology Associates, St.

Louis, Missouri. A fence was installed on the Memorial park Drive

and Margaret Street Frontage of the Park.

1993-1994 The entrance gates were rebuilt following the original Olmsted

design. This restoration was a gift in memory of William Randle

Barnett by his wife and children. Mr. and Mrs. Walter McRae, Mr.

and Mrs. Albert Ernest, and Mrs. Martin Stein completed the fence

along Riverside Avenue in memory of Guy Botts. Councilwoman

Ginny Myrick supplied funds to upgrade lighting in the park, repair

the sprinkler system, some architectural repairs, and landscape the

Riverside Avenue frontage.

1994 The Memorial Park Association was honored by the Jackson­ville

1923 - 1924 Walks were laid, and the Memorial gates built during the winter months.

Landmarks Commission for its revitalization of the Park.

1995 Three marble benches, copies of the original benches,

were given to the Park. One in memory of Harlow

Barnett by his wife, one in memory of Jaquelin J.

Daniel by his wife, one in memory of Mrs. John A.

Gilliland's parents, Mr. and Mrs. W. M. McCrory, and

grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Franklin Russell, by Mrs.

Gilliland.

1996 Mrs. Judson Freeman gave architectural urns for the

plaza area near the statue. Mrs. Walter McRae gave a

Memorial Garden which features relics from the

original Riverside en­trance gates.

1997 For the first time, the Pillars' statue was lighted for

night viewing by the Roger Main Foundation.

Councilman James N. Overton, as part of Mayor

Austin's Renaissance Program, provided funds for the

handsome iron trash receptacles. The Parks and

Recreation Department replaced the many trees lost

from a tornado which hit the Park in March 1997.

We are very grateful to the following

individuals and business

Our fine neighbors and friends who donated towards the eagles becoming a reality.

Our very special thanks to the Insetta family.

Mrs. Walter A. McRae and Mrs. William L. Arnold, Jr. lor the beautiful new plantings throughout our park.

Thank you to restaurants Orsay and Chew for providing the refreshments.

Eagle Scouts Troop 26 Adventure Crew Allie Bount, President VOA 26 Ted Arnold Pickett past President VOA 26

For the Insetta grandchildren, Maia, Luke, Logan Dobbs and Destiny Davidson for unveiling the eagles.

United States Navy Band with soloist,

American Legion Lakeshop Post 137 - Commander O’brien, Jeff Fazan, Harvey Finn, Norman Gentry, Lewis Gray and Rick Michael

Beachview Party Rentals

Young Life Jacksonville for their sound system.

Initial Board of Trustees

1986

Mr. Randall C. Berg Mrs. Walter A. McRae , Jr.

Mr. Jacob F. Bryan IV Miss Elizabeth Osborne

Mrs. Hugh A. Carithers Mrs. Earl S. Pointevent III

Mrs. Jaquelin J. Daniel Mrs. Martin Stein, Sr.

Mr. Temple J. Doswell II Mrs. Thompson Baker

Mrs. William R. Frazier Hon. Charles E. Bennett

Mrs. Judson Freeman Mrs. William Crittendon

Mr. Caldwell Hank Haynes Mrs. Paul Fentress

Mr. William H. Jeter, Jr. Mr. Thomas F. Nehl

Mr. Ralph H. Martin Mr. John H. Zehmer

Mrs. James Folds Mrs. Earl Pointevent

Mr. W. Robinson Frazier III Mrs. A. Lee Powell

Mrs. Mark Grandin Mr. Martin Sack , Jr.

Ms. Patricia Houlihan Mrs. Martin Sack, Jr.

Mrs. Victor A.Hughes Mr. Timothy M. Tyler

Mrs. J. Michael Hughes Mrs. James Van Vleck

Mr. John H Ingram, Jr. Mrs. A Daniel Wolff III

Honorary

Mrs. Judson Freeman Mr. Ted Pappas

Mrs. Alicia B. Grant Mr. John H Rogers

The Reverend Barnum McCarty Mr. Herschel E. Shepard, Jr.