Page 6 - PGA Community News - February '23

Page 6, PGA C.A.N.! February 2023 February 2023
Historical Seeds Of The Gardens

Did You Know?

John D.
MacArthur, founder
of the City of Palm
Beach Gardens, took
great strides to uphold
the “garden theme”
and the beauty of his
new community. He
envisioned winding
st re e t s wi t hout
sidewalks named
after flowers and trees now to see it as it should be.” MacArthur’s philosophy Interested in supporting the Palm Beach Gardens
and lush native and continues today, as the City Council and staff apply strict Historical Society? Whether you volunteer, become a
transplanted foliage. guidelines for landscaping and aesthetics in all current member, or make a donation, you support our ongoing
The story of the and future development. The two banyan trees remain mission to collect, preserve and share the rich history of
80-year old banyan tree is a testament of MacArthur’s standing proudly at the entrance to the City of Palm Beach the City of Palm Beach Gardens for the education and
commitment to his new “gardens” community. While in Gardens as a reminder to us all. enjoyment of current and future generations!
the midst of landscaping his new city in late 1960, he heard
about a resident in a neighboring town who was being
forced to cut down a banyan tree in her yard. The tree was
threatening the foundation of her home and damaging the
THEIR
street in front of her residence.

OWN

TRUTHS

THE ART OF SKY CUBACUB, RIVA LEHRER,
JEFFREY MANSFIELD, AND DAVID RICHARDS

MacArthur had the idea of moving the tree and planting An exhibition at ArtWorks at
it at the entrance of the new city at the intersection of The Square, produced by
Northlake Boulevard and MacArthur Boulevard, formerly The Arc of Palm Beach County
Garden Boulevard. The tree weighed 75 tons, was 60 feet
high and had a limb spread of 125 feet. Because of its size,
the city needed six months to prepare the tree for the move
to its new location.
On the morning of April 26, 1961, MacArthur sent two
cranes to lift the tree onto two cargo trailers for the move
to its new home five miles away. However, an unforeseen
problem arose when a feed mill truck burst and spewed
10,000 gallons of molasses onto a roadway that was
specially bulldozed to move the tree. The fill used to cover
the spill raised the roadway just enough to make the tree
hit and snap several railway signal lines which caused
crossing gates to close for eight miles. Additionally, a Riva Lehrer, Edgewater Beach, 2006, Acrylic on panel,
cable parted while the tree was being hoisted over 18-
foot Western Union lines connecting southern Florida
with the rest of the world. The tree dropped when one
of the cables being used to hoist the tree over the train Collection of Larry A. Gerber
tracks snapped under the heavy strain of the tree. When
the 1:30 p.m. train came down the tracks it was forced to
stop and workmen quickly got busy sawing off the limbs
of the tree to clear the tracks. Thirteen minutes later the
train was on its way again.
Shortly after 2 p.m., the tree was dropped into the
large hole that had been prepared. The Rev. A. P. Snyder DECEMBER 2022 - MAY 2023
of St. John’s Evangelical Church said a prayer. MacArthur
traveled with the entourage the whole trip and threw the
first shovel of dirt over the roots of the tree. The entire The exhibition, Their Own Truths: The Art of Sky Cubacub,
process cost $30,000 and 1,008 hours of manpower. Riva Lehrer, Jeffrey Mansfield, and David Richards, encompasses
Approximately one year later, a second tree was moved recent works by four innovative artists who explore the
to keep company with the first tree. It was a smaller tree experience of disability. The collection of paintings, garments,
weighing only 40 tons. sculptures, and photographs seeks to change perceptions and
When people questioned the expense of moving older to open minds. The exhibit is free and open to the public. A
trees instead of planting new ones, MacArthur responded series of lectures and programs will accompany the exhibition.
by saying, “I can buy anything but age. This tree will be For more information, visit arcpbc.org/events.
the centerpiece of our entrance, and while we could plant The Square
a little one there, I wouldn’t be around 80 years from
600 S. Rosemary Avenue, Suite 156, West Palm Beach
(across the street from Starbucks)
Attention Dog Owners

It is your responsibility to pick up after
your dog.
It’s the law. Some of you have been
negligent in doing so.

Please keep our Thank you to our sponsor:
community beautiful!

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