UPS & the University Place Arboretum

Several decades before UPS landed in the middle of what is now Tacoma’s North End, the college had several locations around town.  It’s first home was 2102 South I Street starting in 1889.  In 1893 or so the college began planning a full scale campus in what later became University Place.  I recently rediscovered (in my closet) an old copy of The University Record dated January 15, 1896.  At the time, Puget Sound University was located at 902 South G Street.  In this edition of the Record is an essay about University Place and the amazing arboretum that is a central focus of the new campus plan.  I find it fascinating since UPS seems so embedded in its neighborhood, and yet, it could’ve been so different.

From The University Record of Puget Sound University – Vol I, No. 3- Jan 15th, 1896

“The Puget Sound Arboretum or Museum of Trees, is a part of the University of that name.  Its nucleus is located upon its grounds immediately south-west of the city of Tacoma”

“The new proposed 150 feet wide electric boulevard will lead to it in less than a twenty minute ride from the city.”

“The University Residence Park, known as University Place, consists now of over 1200 acres of land.  Is to have numerous parks, parklets, squares and other public grounds.  So that they shall not only form grounds of pleasure in aesthetic lines, imbued with the soul of natural and beautiful landscapes, but also furnish a thoroughly complete system for the study of trees, shrubs and other hardy plants.”

“It is possible to make a collection here upon a much more extensive scale than in any other portion of the United States, as the climatic conditions are such as to permit the introduction of plants from a greater number of states and foreign countries.”

“This museum of trees now has some 10,000 young plants of some 250 varieties growing, both rare and choice of European collections.”

“The University trustees are arranging to gather a complete collection of this Northwest coast, and also to bring from many countries from which few specimens have as yet been introduced into existing arboratums, on account of their extreme northern climatic conidition, which so limit the scope of their collection, while the climate of Puget Sound not only proves favorable to northern trees and plants, but also successful for a large number of plants from more southern latitudes.”

“The museum of trees will occupy some 200 acres of land, forming a series of parks and parklets situated within the entire tract, so as to obtain the most suitable soil and location favorable for an extensive collection of plants, associating with their educational function the culture and refining influence of natural scenery.  Thus opening a large field for practical study, investigation and experiment which will be seconded by the additional departments of Botany, Horticulture and Agriculture.  Such is the plan upon which the University is aiming to establish the Puget Sound University Arboretum.  Favored as it is by its most happy geographical position and really unsurpassed climatic advantages.  This is made possible by its energetic projectors and generous patrons.”

“Few realize the value of this department to all classes of students attending the University.  Indeed there will be few who will not find most instructive as well as interesting illustrations in some of the many plants thus collected from near and far.  In the exhibition of individual varieties, and in their display of beauty in either their trunk, limb, or foliage, flower or fruit, or in the scenes and views which they combine to create as factors in landscape architecture.  While the dendological student will study the science of their life and use to the great world of chemistry, manufacture, art and architecture, all students and residents will enjoy the charm and harmony of nature and her ever changeful lights and shades of different hues, which makes the seasons ever varying.” 

“The Botanical department will find rich and ample provisions among the specimens and illustrations furnished by the arboretum.”

“The advantage of being able to plan an arboretum with the choice of two hundred acres of land out of a tract of 1200 acres in the portions and localities best suited for the purpose, many not, upon first thought be apparrent, but when the facts are known that the most valuable collections of trees and plants in the old world are fast becoming extinct on account of their crowded condition and the want of room which cannot be obtained.  It is evident that these serious hindrances nad mistakes will her be avoided.  This unfortunate condition has also been avoided by the Arnold arboretum of Jamaca Plain, Mass., which devotes 165 acres to this purpose, treating it as an entire park and a general public ground.  This arboretum was established through the munifence of James Arnold, and made by national and international reputation by Charles Sprague Sargent Arnold, Professor of arbiculture in Harvard University, to whom is due the success of this arboretum, and the high standing it has taken as an educational factor of pronounced scientific importance.”

“The faculty and trustees of Puget Sound University mean to second this national arboretum of the Atlantic Cost by this one on the Northwest Pacific coast, with still large proportions and scope, which is made possible by larger control of ground, more favorable climate, as well as more advantageous beginnings.”

by E. O. Schwagerl