When and how did gardening begin in this area? Probably with the first woman settler who brought with her to these treeless plains carefully hoarded seeds or cuttings she had brought from "home". Supply wagons also often brought items.
A documented case of the latter is the area around 50th and
The Lubbock Garden Club has the distinction of being started by a man, H. J. Kendrix, a rural mail carrier and an avid gardener. It was organized on September 20, 1929 with 24 public-spirited citizens (no record of distribution of gender). Its purpose was the beautification of private grounds, parks, and roadsides. As it did not appeal to a lot of men, it eventually became strictly a women's club.
The first temporary president was Mrs. A. W. Myrick, before the first regular election when Mrs. A. H. Leidigh, the wife of the Dean of the "new college," was elected. Membership was by invitation only, and carried with it "social status." The club (and others to follow) was sometimes scoffed at as "tea-sipping social clubs." It is true that a meeting was a social event with ladies wearing hats and gloves. However, in all fairness, let it be said that most meetings were concerned with the stated purposes, and exerted a strong influence in making
In 1937, the citizens of
Meanwhile, especially in the urban areas of
Word spread and the number of federated garden clubs increased quickly. The Lubbock Garden Club federated in 193 1, and remains so to this day. By mid-century, there were garden club federations in all 50 states, with many affiliates internationally. From regular garden clubs, who study a wide spectrum of plants, landscaping, floral design, and other subjects, numerous "plant societies" were spawned for selective study. Societies for roses, chrysanthemums, dahlias, orchids, iris, and many others thrive today.
Largely as a result of gardeners' enthusiasm for swapping plants, giving plants away and sharing of knowledge, considerable interest grew among the populous as a whole. As demand, therefore, increased, the supply side had to catch up. Consequently, more and more garden nurseries were established. Improved cultivars, new cultivars, imported cultivars -all are available for the gardener today. As late as the 1950-1960's, only a few tree and plant nurseries were in
The National Council of State Garden Clubs began educational programs for floral design; growing horticulture, trees, shrubs; and landscape design principles. As people began to grow superior plants, they wanted to display them, so "flower shows" sprang up. However, how did you judge one against the other? A "standard" for judging by point value was devised by the National Council for every plant. (Plant societies set them for their specific plants). From this emerged Flower Show Schools to train flower show judges for horticulture and floral design, and to learn themselves to grow and design.
Basic flower arranging was taught based on the universal elements and principles of all design, applied with plant material as the medium. Initially, it was drawn from the "traditional" designs from
A prerequisite of a Flower Show Judge's certificate is to attend and pass five
As is seen in the detailed history of the Lubbock Garden Club, they subscribed to the programs and objectives of federated garden clubs and continued to be the dominant garden group in the area.
Meanwhile, though, other garden clubs were also being formed: Lubbock Junior Garden Club in 1939; Town & Country in 1940; Bud to Blossom in 1941; Spade & Hoe in 1949; and LeFleur in 1953. Clubs were no longer "social clubs" but kindred spirits joining together to pursue common interests and objectives. However, good fellowship has always been a part of their attraction. These clubs sometimes joined in projects or in bringing speakers to the city. The first effort to form a City Council of clubs was in 1944. However, it would not be until 1953 under the leadership of Mrs. E. E. Louthan that the idea would get off the ground. It was officially formed in January, 1955 with the above clubs as members and Mrs. Louthan as the first president.
While participating in federation meetings of District I (which covers the Panhandle-High Plains-Permian Basin area), and state meetings of Texas Garden Clubs, the Lubbock gardening community heard of cities who had "garden centers"-a place for meetings, flower shows, programs, and a central location to dispense information. Such a "center" could promote more garden clubs and promote joint workshops, schools and education opportunities for
In the early 50's, Mmes. Louthan, John Powers, Morley Jennings, and Nat Williams had met with A.C. Hamilton, Director of Parks and Recreation, to try to convince him of this need. He was not familiar with garden clubs or garden centers and could not see initially how such a center would serve the city.
During this same period, the Lubbock Art Association was also seeking to have an art center. Mmes. C. B. Martin, Louis Murfee, and Bruce Bryan and others had found a residence they wanted to purchase and move onto park land but this was vetoed by the City Council. After continued pressure from the garden and art groups, Mr. Hamilton called the two groups together and told them if they could come to an agreement on sharing the same building, he would see if he could persuade the City Council. He became one of their staunchest supporters.
A joint committee was formed to work out the plan to be presented. Since most, if not all, of the City Council members had never heard of such a center, it took a number of meetings before they were convinced. As one man said, "What do you women plan to do out there? Quilt and can, and that sort of thing?"
The women finally prevailed ("never underestimate the power of a woman") and a budget of $100,000 was approved for the building. The site chosen was on the grounds of the undeveloped
Everyone realized the fledging Council would need funds for their share and set out on joint projects to raise money. The Lubbock Garden Club had been furnishing "displays" at the South Plains Fair for a number of years. One idea was for the Council to approach the Fair officials about sponsoring a "Standard Flower Show" there each year. Since entrants must be amateurs and cannot take money for ribbons, the Fair would donate an amount for putting on the show and these funds would go into a "center fund." They agreed. For some years, the show was assigned space in the Women's Building but Ultimately, the Fair built a "
The long-awaited day finally arrived. The
Administration - This was a unique experiment in a dual-purpose building. The City built the building, furnished utilities and paid for staff salaries; but it was left to the garden clubs to develop a gardening program and the art association an art program.
The Center was governed by a corporation, Lubbock Garden-Arts Center, Inc., with a Board of Directors made up of equal representation from both groups, other members at large from other groups who met there, and a representative from the Parks and Recreation Board of Lubbock. They set the policy on the use of the building and promoted the growth and development of the Center. Garden and Arts groups had priority on reservations for use. Other educational, cultural, non-profit, tax-exempt groups could reserve the time remaining.
Other garden clubs had been formed by this time and joined the Council of Garden Clubs in anticipation of a place to meet, and some soon after the Center was dedicated. Before long, there were 24 clubs, both federated and non-federated, and plant societies:
The Gardenaires Garden Study Club Green Bud Garden Club
Men's Garden Club
Soil and
National Flower Show Judges
Joining later were Techsan Garden Club, South Plains Dahlia Society and Lubbock Chrysanthemum Society. Nearly all met at the Center and it became a busy place.
It is worthy of note that by this time more men were participating. They had more time, were excellent growers, and often won more horticultural blue ribbons than the ladies. Several were hybridizers. Don Henderson of the Gladiolus Society developed a gladiolus cultivar, "Thunderbird," that was patented and sold for a number of years. Marshall Pennington, a vice-president at Texas Tech, was a chrysanthemum grower who developed several new cultivars. The flower shows of these groups were spectacular. Several members belonged to more than one plant society. In 1972, the Dahlia, Gladiolus and Chrysanthemum Societies merged into the South Plains Plant Society that is the largest left in 1999. Many couples as well as individual men and women are members.
The Lubbock Council of Garden Clubs and its member clubs were very active in promoting various projects for the benefit of the community. Many were "Council" projects where all joined together; others were an interest of some particular club. There had to be many fund raisers to support them. Besides the South Plains Fair Flower Show previously mentioned, other projects included an annual House & Garden Sale (many years), plant sales, etc.
The Council was also involved in activities for the
One can hardly consider the development of the
The idea was spearheaded by Mrs. Nat (
An Arboretum Committee under auspices of the Lubbock Council of Garden Clubs was formed. The latter provided $3,000 to pay for plans to be drawn up by Robert Rucker, head of Department of Landscape Architecture at Texas Tech. Work began in May, 1961. The first tree, a pecan, was planted January 20, 1962 in front of the Center in an Arbor Day ceremony sponsored by the Junior Buds, a youth club sponsored by Bud to Blossom Garden Club. The pecan thrives today, and a commemorative marker was placed.
The Arboretum was under the sole sponsorship of the Council until it was deemed advantageous to incorporate as the Lubbock Memorial Arboretum Foundation. This made it a legal non-profit organization for purpose of tax-free donations and grants. This group (with many garden club members on its Board) was founded June 4, 1964. Although this Board took over the active management and planning, the
Georgia Williams served as president of the Arboretum Board for many years. The
The current Arboretum Board continues to keep up the grounds and to add plantings, and to give educational programs from their education center on the edge of the Center grounds.
The number of garden clubs, and their activities, were at their height in the `60's and `70's. Then a gradual change began to take place. Instead of predominantly only the husband working outside the home, the wife began to venture into the work force as well. By the turn of the century finding both spouses in the work force was a common occurrence. Although "gardening" remained a popular hobby, the perception was that there simply wasn't time anymore for involvement in gardening organizations that might require volunteering time for their projects. Also, but to a lesser extent, the "business" matters of clubs/societies tended to discourage participation. Consequently, as the original gardeners began to age and drop out of garden clubs, there were few, if any, younger people following in their footsteps.
As a result, over a period of approximately 40 years, the
In 1999, the remaining clubs are: the Lubbock Garden Club, Bud-to-Blossom Garden Club, Lubbock Rose Society, Petal Pushers Garden Club, South Plains Plant Society-all federated clubs; and affiliates: Nationally Accredited Flower Show Judges, South Plains Iris Society, and Master Gardeners.
The following pages list the major projects of the Lubbock Council of Garden Clubs and up to present date. We do not know, of course, what the new millennium will bring. However, we are committed to continue to serve this community as long as we are able.
We submit that garden clubs in this century have contributed much to making
Compiled by Mrs. Lee (Margaret) Coil for the
The Lubbock Council of Garden Clubs gives tribute to our "pioneers"-¬the Lubbock Garden Club. They organized when this city was still a "village." As is seen from their history in another section, they had a vision of making
Without them there would have been no
Coming to mind are Mrs. E. E. Louthan, Mrs. Nat Williams, Mrs. John V. Powers, Mrs. Joe Arrington, Sr., Mrs. H. G. Knight, and Mrs. O. A. Terry for their work on the Lubbock Council of Garden Clubs. Contributions are listed in the history of the Lubbock Garden Club of earlier members, and later members, who did their part.
One of the things which has made
Projects listed were "Council" projects. Individual garden clubs often made additional contributions for which a complete breakdown is not available.
1955 - Opening of
1977 - Expansion of kitchen ($10,000 Center Board project)
Arboretum: (beginning in 1960)
1969
1971-72
1974 Landscaping of
1975-76 Cooperated with Lubbock Bicentennial Committee - prepared and donated brochures on table decorations and red-white-blue plantings.
1977 Landscaping at Dupre Elementary (first school in
1979 - 81 $1,000 to Lubbock Cemetery Association (original cemetery) for beautification -81 of entrance area.
1982 $1,000 to Lubbock Heritage Society for landscaping and restoration of Mast¬White House (historic site).
1984 -
1986 Bulbs and plants for
1988 - 90 Ronald MacDonald House opened - $3,000+ for exterior landscaping and interior potted plants. A volunteer committee watered and took care of potted plants for more than two years. Donated a glider for the patio, $86. Plants, supplies, $66, $117 for plantings outside and inside
1990 -$1,000 to Lubbock High School for Native Plant Garden $ 100 for grounds improvement at Texas Boys Ranch $ 121 South Plains Food Bank $ 200 Weddle Wildflower Lecturer Fund $ 250 Adult Day Activity and Health Center (plants)
1991- 93 $ 126 Portable Greenhouse for
$ 350 Food Bank, Breedlove Dehydration and West Texas Arts & Botanical for several projects.
Workers and plant material for the
1994 $500 Contributions of garden tools/seeds to South Plains Food Bank for
1995- 96 $500 to Breedlove Dehydration Plant for Arbor Season plantings.
250 to Native Plant Society for Nature Trail at Breedlove.
228 to Ronald McDonald House for houseplants.
1997 $ 100 to O. L. Slaton Jr. High School Campus Beautification program
1998- 99 Setting up the Margaret Coil Endowment for Floral Design at Texas Tech to help fund courses for students in the Department of Plant and Soil Science. Council and individual clubs contributed as well as individuals and community. Courses designed to give students a broad exposure to horticulture science as well as floral art with possible career options. Minimum endowment was $5,000. Endowment will grow into next century.
The Council and individual clubs sponsored over the years hundreds of educational projects such as flower shows, plant clinics, gardening and landscape courses, and lectures to groups. Since 1955 the Council continuously sponsored a Standard Flower Show at the South Plains Fair which was viewed by thousands yearly.
There is no estimating the number of volunteer hours that were given to Council and individual projects: serving on committees, hands-on work, manning projects and time given at
Another project worth mentioning, not solely by
Panhandle, Hi-Plains and
Surely, the efforts of hundreds of public-spirited members who believed in improving the environment of their city have left a lasting impact on
As for the history of the Lubbock Garden Club, it holds a distinctive position. It was started by a man, H.J. Kendrix, a rural mail carrier and an avid gardener. The organization was started September 20, 1929 by 24 public-spirited citizens (no record of gender distribution). Its purpose was the beautification of private grounds, and roadsides. In an era when men usually did not belong to such clubs, it is not surprising it became a club for women only, but there is no documentation as to when.
Mrs. A. W. Myrick served temporarily as the first president. At the first regular election Mrs. A. H. Leidigh, the wife of the dean of the " New College," Texas Tech, was elected president. Officers were elected annually until 1939.
The Constitution and Bylaws were adopted October 18, 1929. The first dues were 50 cents annually. Provisions were made to present guest speakers with a 25-cent vase, not a container, with garden-grown flowers which were reportedly "always very lovely." An increase of dues to $1.00 yearly was made in 1938. Later, with wartime activities and inflation, it became necessary to increase them to $4.00 for regular members and $5.00 for associate members.
Several of the first members of the club were wives of the young college professors at Texas Tech, which was in its infancy at that time. Belonging to the Lubbock Garden Club made them a member of the "400" and also raised the social status of the townspeople who associated with the college group.
The programs for the first several years consisted mainly of pilgrimages to home gardens, college projects, and parks. The club also took a very active part in all civic improvement projects. Their first major project was planting 4,118 trees on main highways leading into the city in 1931. Eighteen hundred of them died and were replaced the following year, 1932.
Plants were given by the truckloads to the Lubbock Cemetery and Milam's Home. Members served on committees for landscaping various city projects. They sponsored an annual Spring Plant Exchange, open to all city residents.
As early as 1932 the Lubbock Garden Club began furnishing displays at the South Plains Fairgrounds.
In 1937, a citywide campaign was launched to prohibit the keeping of cattle and horses in the city limit with no roaming to graze on the city town site. The club, with Mrs. J. E. Hartley as president, was among the instigators and campaigned vigorously. Anonymous caller to Mr. Hartley said, "if he didn't want to be a widower, to shut his wife's mouth." She didn't back down, the ordinance passed, and no more was heard from the man.
In the mid-30's, the Avalanche-Journal began sponsoring a Christmas lighting contest. The garden club was asked to serve as judges. This continued for years until there were several hundred entries a year to be judged. [N.B. This continued into the time of the Lubbock Council. It was discontinued because of the growth of city and number to be judged made it impractical.]
In the early years, the Club would help sponsor notable speakers such as nationally known flower arrangers Dorothy Biddle, Maude Jacobs and Gregory Conway (who asked $50.00 to lecture but did it for free.) It was reported that Mr. Conway's lecture was as fabulous as was his pacing the floor in the last 15 minutes prior to the start of his lecture wondering if his anthuriums would make it by air in time. Also, horticulturist Harry O'Brian, a gardening writer for Better Homes and Gardens.
Lubbock Garden Club's first flower show (actually a display) was held in a business building downtown in the early 30's. There was widespread interest in it. Visual mechanics for "flower arrangements" consisted of wires and strings, both inside and outside of containers and flowers. Stuffed newspapers and hedge clippings were also used. Fortunately, the era of National Flower Show Judges had not arrived.
During the early years of the city's participation in the Clean-up Campaign, the Club led in the movement. When city organizations became more efficient and interest more widespread, members served in official capacities as well as with private cooperation. As a result of combined effort, Lubbock won the award as " Cleanest City in the Nation" for eleven consecutive years. (N.B. No information on the sponsor of the contest or how many cities participated).
The Lubbock Garden Club federated in 1931 and espoused the objectives of federated gardening, much of which they were already practicing.
Immediately, the club became interested in having accredited Flower Show Judges, and sponsored Flower Show Schools to accredit their interested members as well as members of other garden clubs. By 1966 they had 16 National Judges and seven Life Judges. From the time accredited judges were available, they sponsored many Standard Flower Shows-before and after the Garden Center was built. These judges furnished many lecturers for new garden clubs and established clubs.
During the years of WWII surviving as a club presented a great problem. Programs turned to Victory Gardening and gardening in limited spaces. A great effort to encourage gardening through newspaper articles and radio programs was made by the club. As a result, the club received an award from Texas Garden Clubs for this project.
In 1947, "The Secret of the Green Thumb" was compiled by club members and sold 1,000 copies. It dealt with plants and horticultural practices peculiar to this area. Proceeds were used to fund their projects.
The Club was especially pleased to have its own Mrs. John Fry selected Horticulturist of the Year by Texas Garden Clubs. She had served as a fountain of knowledge and inspiration for the club members for several years.
The Lubbock Garden Club furnished leadership for District I of Texas Garden Clubs Mrs. Nat Williams, Governor 1955-57, and Mrs. E. E. Louthan, Governor, 1961-63. Both went on to serve as officers of Texas Garden Clubs. (Mrs. E. H. Boedeker would also serve as a District I Director in later years).
Other notable contributions by Lubbock Garden Club members:
For further information concerning Mrs. Louthan and Mrs. Nat Williams, both National Judges, see history of the Lubbock Council of Garden Clubs.
The Lubbock Garden Club was responsible for two significant accomplishments to further the cause of gardening. In 1953, under the leadership of Mrs. E. E. Louthan, the club began the exploration of forming a Lubbock Council of Garden Clubs that was realized in 1955. With this organization in place, as a result of their leadership the City agreed to build the Garden-Arts Center that was dedicated in 1960. At the same time, under the leadership of Mrs. Nat Williams, they received permission to begin the Arboretum surrounding the Center. Details of these events are in the history of the Lubbock Council of Garden Clubs.
Probably the height in membership was in the `60's with 58 members. This club continued, however, with considerable leadership and contributions for many years. Like other clubs, they had few new recruits because of other clubs being organized and also women returning to the workplace. Though still a club in 1999, they have few members. They can well be proud, though, of their 70 years of contributions to making Lubbock a better place to live.
NOTE FROM EDITOR, Margaret Coil, Charter Member of Petal Pushers Garden Club, Charter Member of South Plains Plant Society, Master Nationally Accredited Flower Show Judge, and Past President, Lubbock Council of Garden Clubs.
This history was edited from records of the Lubbock Garden Club. Many specific dates are not available.
It does give us interesting insight into life in this century. It is remarkable that in the first third of the century there would have been the aggressive leadership of women in civic matters. Generally, the time was one of dominant leadership of men with women pretty much in the background. When we look at the names of the husbands, we recognize them as some of the "movers and shakers" of the time as well. Obviously, they encouraged, and probably abetted, their wives in their efforts. In an era of 50 to 60-hour work weeks, perhaps the women had time to accomplish what the men did not.
Another historical note: the trees which this club planted in 1931-32 were Siberian elms. They thrived, and for many years (into the 70's) they adorned the streets. There was a double row of them on W. I9th on Tech's campus from the Tech freeway to University. There were additional trees on the south side as well. Tech had not yet expanded its building program to that area and still had a dairy farm and plant (for training dairy farmers) between where the law school is now, west to the freeway. The dairy cows would rest in the shade of these trees. Eventually, the dairy program was shut down.
It was a joy to drive down W. 19th at that time. However, with the growth of Tech, and traffic merging into 19th from Brownfield and Levelland Highways, the existing number of traffic lanes was not deemed adequate. There was a considerable citywide controversy, but in the end Progress won, and the row of trees nearest the street was removed. Other trees were lost as business expanded on 19th toward downtown. The same could be said of those planted along other approaches.
Even though the improvements to Lubbock made in the 20th Century may not endure forever, they were worthy endeavors. Each generation must leave its own marks in passing.
June, 1999
1955-58 Mrs. E. E. (Ginny) Louthan
1958-61 Mrs. Nat (
1961-63 Mrs. Odie (Katie) Hood Bud to
1963-65 Mrs. Lee (Margaret) Coil
1965-67 Mrs. G. Hobert (Aline) Nelson
1967-69 Mrs. A. T. (
1969-71 Mrs. E. H. (Hortense) Boedeker
1971-73 Mrs. John (Betsy) Darby Spade and
1973-75 Mrs. Grady (Bobbie) Smith Spade and
1975-77 Mrs. Rodney (Latrelle) Joy
1977-79 Mrs. Carroll (Roselee)
1979-81 Mrs. Therell (
1981-83 Mrs. N. A. (Adelia) Cox
1983-85 Mrs. Arnold (Ovel) Banks Bud to
1985-87 Mrs. Otis (Rosemary) English South Plains Plant Society
1987-89 Mrs. Cecil (Christine) Flynn Bud to
1989-91 Mrs. Charles (Elaine) Shields
1991-93 James Moore South Plains Plant Society
1993-95 Mrs. Horace (Mildred) Tyree
1995-97 Mrs. E. E. (Ocie) Patton
1997-99 F. Keith Moffett South Plains Plant Society
1999-2001 F. Keith Moffett South Plains Plant Society
2001 -2003 F. Keith Moffett South Plains Plant Society
2003 – 2005 Linda Brown
2005 – 2007 F. Keith Moffett
Mrs. E. E. Louthan: District l, Texas Garden Clubs, Inc. Governor, 1961-63
Mrs. Nat Williams: District 1, Texas Garden Clubs, Inc., Governor, 1955-57
Mrs. Lee Coil: District 1, Texas Garden Clubs, Inc., Director, 1965-67
Other District l, Texas Garden Clubs, Inc., Directors:
Mrs. Carroll Anderson, 1979-81; Mrs. E. H. Boedeker, 1973-75
Mrs. Arnold Banks, 1985-87
Mrs. Charles Shields, 1991-93 (all four also served on State Board).