NEWS RELEASES
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Henderson County Jail represents historic architecture, society - October 2020 Fall vegetable gardening tips - September 2020 ETABS demonstration beehive offers educational benefits - August 2020 Garden updates: Around the grounds at the East Texas Arboretum - July 2020 Wofford House kitchen garden produce donated to local food pantry - July 2020 East Texas Arboretum announces Carl D. Frentress Hickory Loop trail renaming, guide - June 2020 East Texas Arboretum extends hours on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday - May 2020 |
Henderson County Jail represents historic
architecture, society
architecture, society
The East Texas Arboretum acquired a historic 76-sq.ft. jail cell (c. 1890) in 2015 from a local donor. The cell, now displayed among other 19th century architectural artifacts on the arboretum grounds, may have once stood in downtown Athens and served its community.
Tiny jails like the one found at the arboretum are sometimes referred to as “calabooses.” Etymologically, the word “calaboose” gets its roots from Louisiana French (calabouse) and Spanish (calabozo, or “dungeon”). Though by definition the term simply means “jail,” the structures described are representative of both architectural and cultural movements of the time.
According to William E. Moore, archaeologist and author of “The Texas Calaboose and other Forgotten Jails” (2019), these types of one- or two-room cells were often constructed in smaller towns to hold prisoners for petty crimes or in preparation for transport.
“From the early days of statehood through the early part of the 20th century, the calaboose was a common architectural feature on the landscape of Texas and the rest of the country,” says Moore, who has traveled to each of Texas’ 254 counties in search of these relics.
Though one of many, the historic Henderson County Jail located on arboretum grounds can be differentiated from other Texas calabooses because of its design and composition.
“The doors and panels containing square holes for light and ventilation were cut from a single sheet of metal unlike those made by companies such as J. Pauly and E.T. Barnum,” Moore says, noting also that the “[raised] letters on the exterior appear to spell Carnegie, a name not associated with the manufacture of jail cells.”
Moore adds that, while similarly constructed cells can be found in Travis and Real County, “...they lack the Carnegie name.”
Another interesting difference the tiny jail historian points out in his book is that the Henderson County Jail was the only one among his sample to feature multiple locks on each door and a “metal bucket of sorts, which was the toilet” — the height of 19th century convenience!
Past research accumulated by the arboretum suggests that the Henderson County Jail may have been built using scrap metal leftover from a bridge or other construction project, hence its unusual design. Some also believe that this cell was at one time stored right in the local sheriff’s backyard as a kind of weekend holding tank.
To see the former Henderson County Jail, simply visit the East Texas Arboretum at 1601 Patterson Road in Athens, Texas. Hours and admission information are available at https://www.easttexasarboretum.org.
Do you or any of your friends or family know more about Henderson County’s history? We would love to hear from you! Help us complete our history of the Henderson County Jail by contacting etabs@easttexasarboretum.org with your information.
Fall vegetable gardening tips
By Judy Haldeman, Master Gardener
Are you interested in starting a fall vegetable garden? Home vegetable gardening has continued to grow in popularity as people have started “victory gardens” similar to the gardens begun during World War I and World War II. To be a successful gardener, you need to follow a few basic rules to ensure a successful fall. One of the most important is soil preparation. Next, you will need a garden plan, crop selection and site selection.
If your garden site does not have deep, well-drained, fertile soil, you can amend it with organic matter. For those in our area with clay soils, it may take a year or two of adding composted material to the top of the soil. This should be done in late winter or early spring. If you don’t have prepared beds this late in the year, it will be better to use raised beds or containers. There are directions online for building raised beds. Some are fairly simple with pre-made end corners. Make sure you surround the beds with chicken wire to discourage rabbits. Another alternative is to make a stand for containers. The advantage of this approach is that the garden will be out of reach of rabbits and moles. If you are not able to build a container stand, an option would be to use a weather-proof table that is sturdy enough to hold several containers. Each container should have several drain holes in the bottom and should be filled with grower’s mix or potting soil. Your container should be from 10 to 12 inches deep. Most soil mixes now have fertilizer in the mix, so be careful to not over-fertilize the plants. The advantage of the table approach is that it requires little work and can be moved to a new area of the yard as the available sun changes with the seasons.
A garden plan is critical in starting a fall garden. What to plant and when is important and depends on the maturity rates of common vegetables. Vegetables maturing in 30 to 60 days include beets, bush beans, leaf lettuce, mustard, radish, spinach, summer squash, turnip and turnip greens. Those maturing in 60 to 80 days include broccoli, Chinese cabbage, carrots, cucumber, green onions, kohlrabi, lima beans, okra, parsley, peppers and tomatoes. Slow maturing vegetables take 80 days or more to mature. The vegetables include Brussels sprouts, bulb onions, cabbage, cantaloupe, cauliflower, eggplant, garlic, Irish potatoes, pumpkins, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, and watermelon. Texas A&M notes that some plants from the first two groups can overlap planting dates, depending on late fall weather. Plants that can be planted in our area from October 1-15 are beets, carrots, Swiss chard, garlic, leaf lettuce, mustard, radish, spinach and turnip. Those plants that should be in the ground by October 1 are transplants of broccoli, Brussel sprouts, cabbage, kale, and parsley. These plants might reach maturity prior to the first freeze.
At this time of year, crop selection becomes critical since the average date of the first frost in Athens is November 15. However, some horticulturists have now moved that to December 1. Some plants are more tolerant of frost than others. If there is a chance of frost, you can cover your plants with a sheet or frost cloth, but you are safer if the covers do not touch the leaves of the plant. Be sure to uncover the plant once the danger of frost is over. Those plants maturing in 30 to 60 days can be planted now. Those in the 60- to 80-day group are more susceptible to cold weather. If you plant transplants of this group rather than seeds, you are more likely to be successful.
Also critical is site selection. It is advisable to have your garden close to a water faucet so that watering your garden doesn’t require hauling buckets of water to the garden. The best garden site will have full or almost full sun with deep, well-drained, fertile soil. Full sun in North Dakota and in Texas mean entirely different things. In Texas, full sun typically means 6 to 8 hours of sun, part sun means 4 to 6 hours of sun, and partial shade means 2 to 4 hours of sun. If your garden has a combination of full sun and partial sun, plant crops of tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, peas, beans, corn, and squash in full sun. Carrots, radishes, beets and other root vegetables need a half day of sun to thrive. Leafy greens like spinach, chard, kale and leafy lettuce can tolerate the most shade in the garden.
Finally, growing a garden should be an exciting venture. Remember that failure is a possibility, but most gardeners regard each failure as an opportunity to learn.
Are you interested in starting a fall vegetable garden? Home vegetable gardening has continued to grow in popularity as people have started “victory gardens” similar to the gardens begun during World War I and World War II. To be a successful gardener, you need to follow a few basic rules to ensure a successful fall. One of the most important is soil preparation. Next, you will need a garden plan, crop selection and site selection.
If your garden site does not have deep, well-drained, fertile soil, you can amend it with organic matter. For those in our area with clay soils, it may take a year or two of adding composted material to the top of the soil. This should be done in late winter or early spring. If you don’t have prepared beds this late in the year, it will be better to use raised beds or containers. There are directions online for building raised beds. Some are fairly simple with pre-made end corners. Make sure you surround the beds with chicken wire to discourage rabbits. Another alternative is to make a stand for containers. The advantage of this approach is that the garden will be out of reach of rabbits and moles. If you are not able to build a container stand, an option would be to use a weather-proof table that is sturdy enough to hold several containers. Each container should have several drain holes in the bottom and should be filled with grower’s mix or potting soil. Your container should be from 10 to 12 inches deep. Most soil mixes now have fertilizer in the mix, so be careful to not over-fertilize the plants. The advantage of the table approach is that it requires little work and can be moved to a new area of the yard as the available sun changes with the seasons.
A garden plan is critical in starting a fall garden. What to plant and when is important and depends on the maturity rates of common vegetables. Vegetables maturing in 30 to 60 days include beets, bush beans, leaf lettuce, mustard, radish, spinach, summer squash, turnip and turnip greens. Those maturing in 60 to 80 days include broccoli, Chinese cabbage, carrots, cucumber, green onions, kohlrabi, lima beans, okra, parsley, peppers and tomatoes. Slow maturing vegetables take 80 days or more to mature. The vegetables include Brussels sprouts, bulb onions, cabbage, cantaloupe, cauliflower, eggplant, garlic, Irish potatoes, pumpkins, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, and watermelon. Texas A&M notes that some plants from the first two groups can overlap planting dates, depending on late fall weather. Plants that can be planted in our area from October 1-15 are beets, carrots, Swiss chard, garlic, leaf lettuce, mustard, radish, spinach and turnip. Those plants that should be in the ground by October 1 are transplants of broccoli, Brussel sprouts, cabbage, kale, and parsley. These plants might reach maturity prior to the first freeze.
At this time of year, crop selection becomes critical since the average date of the first frost in Athens is November 15. However, some horticulturists have now moved that to December 1. Some plants are more tolerant of frost than others. If there is a chance of frost, you can cover your plants with a sheet or frost cloth, but you are safer if the covers do not touch the leaves of the plant. Be sure to uncover the plant once the danger of frost is over. Those plants maturing in 30 to 60 days can be planted now. Those in the 60- to 80-day group are more susceptible to cold weather. If you plant transplants of this group rather than seeds, you are more likely to be successful.
Also critical is site selection. It is advisable to have your garden close to a water faucet so that watering your garden doesn’t require hauling buckets of water to the garden. The best garden site will have full or almost full sun with deep, well-drained, fertile soil. Full sun in North Dakota and in Texas mean entirely different things. In Texas, full sun typically means 6 to 8 hours of sun, part sun means 4 to 6 hours of sun, and partial shade means 2 to 4 hours of sun. If your garden has a combination of full sun and partial sun, plant crops of tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, peas, beans, corn, and squash in full sun. Carrots, radishes, beets and other root vegetables need a half day of sun to thrive. Leafy greens like spinach, chard, kale and leafy lettuce can tolerate the most shade in the garden.
Finally, growing a garden should be an exciting venture. Remember that failure is a possibility, but most gardeners regard each failure as an opportunity to learn.
ETABS demonstration beehive offers educational benefits
The East Texas Beekeeping Association provides the bees for our hive through a sponsored grant, while Henderson County Beekeepers manage the hive itself.
The East Texas Arboretum, with the help of donors and groups like the East Texas and Henderson County Beekeepers Associations, has maintained a demonstration beehive on its grounds since about 2002.
Demonstration hives allow visitors to view the activities of honey bees as they work, providing access to both sides of the honeycomb — and to many of the hive’s quirks.
Janelle Cole, a founding member of the Henderson County Beekeepers Association, says that demonstration hives not only give the community access to something they might otherwise never get to see, they are just plain fun.
“We’ve been keeping bees for a long time now,” Cole says, “and I can still just sit and watch observation hives for hours.”
When visiting the ETABS hive, Cole recommends trying to spot the queen bee. Queens are differentiated from the rest of the hive by their elongated abdomen. A queen can lay as many as 1,500 eggs per day and live as long as one year.
Cole also suggests observing the hive’s behaviors and mannerisms.
“Different hives have different personalities,” she says. “Some bees are more housekeeping-oriented and some are not. ... It’s interesting to look for different tendencies like that.”
If larvae exist in the brood, it is also possible to observe bees hatching, which Cole describes as somewhat like watching a chick hatch.
Somewhere around 30,000 bees were introduced into the demonstration hive at the East Texas Arboretum at the beginning of July, and, depending on the strength of our hive, that number could increase to as many as 50,000 before the season ends.
The current hive will be relocated in October for the winter, so don’t miss your chance to see the honey bees in action.
Garden updates: Around the grounds at the East Texas Arboretum
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Cain Garden The Garden in the Forest was dedicated in 2012 in memory of James B. and Lillian Cain through generous grants from the Cain, Murchison and Kohl Foundations along with Keep Athens Beautiful. This area features a short, paved trail surrounded by beautiful gardens, statues and trees that provide plenty of shade. Many new plants have been donated to this garden, and new pathways connect our trails with additional shaded benches. Low-lying brush has also been removed to expand the space. ETABS board and staff members hope to eventually connect this trail with the Carl D. Frentress Hickory Loop trail. Children’s Garden The Children’s Garden at the East Texas Arboretum is not only home to play equipment and fun gadgets for kids, it is also a great place to watch birds as they flit and flutter in fountains and small, shaded baths about the area. The wooden footbridge near our children’s playhouse has been newly renovated to improve its safety and quality for future field trips and visitors. Ruby Key Garden Ruby Key Garden is one of the East Texas Arboretum's most recently refreshed and redesigned spaces. Already hailed by visitors as the "most beautiful area on [our] grounds," this memorial garden can make the perfect backdrop for a wedding, a proposal or even just a quiet picnic. New additions to the garden include hardy plants like sedum, ligustrum and agave, a beautiful desert willow tree and multiple stone fountains. Donations made to support the Ruby Key Garden will help fund its upkeep and maintenance. |
Cain Garden
Children's Garden
Ruby Key Garden
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Windmill Pond Water Garden
Wofford House kitchen garden produce donated to local food pantry
For nearly 20 years—since the Wofford family home was donated and relocated to the grounds of the East Texas Arboretum in 2001—staff and volunteers have maintained a demonstration kitchen garden behind the Wofford House Museum. The garden not only adds to the rustic appeal and historical accuracy of the 1850s farmhouse, it also produces a wide variety of herbs, fruits and vegetables that the arboretum has chosen to give back to the community through seasonal donations to the Henderson County Food Pantry.
“We pick (the produce) every other day and donate a bushel one to two times a week now,” said ETABS Board of Directors Second Vice President Margaret Dansby.
This year, the kitchen garden is producing huge Armenian cucumbers, several varieties of tomatoes and peppers, annuals like squash and okra, tomatillos, watermelons and cantaloupe, as well as herbs like rosemary, sage, thyme and basil.
If you would like to get involved, call or visit the arboretum to learn more about volunteer opportunities—there are plenty of ways to help out, no matter your interest or skill level.
“We would love to have more volunteers,” Dansby added.
For nearly 20 years—since the Wofford family home was donated and relocated to the grounds of the East Texas Arboretum in 2001—staff and volunteers have maintained a demonstration kitchen garden behind the Wofford House Museum. The garden not only adds to the rustic appeal and historical accuracy of the 1850s farmhouse, it also produces a wide variety of herbs, fruits and vegetables that the arboretum has chosen to give back to the community through seasonal donations to the Henderson County Food Pantry.
“We pick (the produce) every other day and donate a bushel one to two times a week now,” said ETABS Board of Directors Second Vice President Margaret Dansby.
This year, the kitchen garden is producing huge Armenian cucumbers, several varieties of tomatoes and peppers, annuals like squash and okra, tomatillos, watermelons and cantaloupe, as well as herbs like rosemary, sage, thyme and basil.
If you would like to get involved, call or visit the arboretum to learn more about volunteer opportunities—there are plenty of ways to help out, no matter your interest or skill level.
“We would love to have more volunteers,” Dansby added.
East Texas Arboretum announces Carl D. Frentress Hickory Loop trail renaming, guide
ATHENS, TX — The East Texas Arboretum is proud to announce the renaming of the Hickory Loop trail to the Carl D. Frentress Hickory Loop trail. The loop is a rugged one-mile hiking trail located on arboretum grounds.
The trail was named for former Texas Parks and Wildlife wetland and waterfowl biologist and longtime Athens resident Carl Frentress, who was instrumental in developing the arboretum’s natural areas. To commemorate his contributions, a specially chosen slab of naturally hardened sandstone from the Texas-Arkansas-Oklahoma region adorned with a bronze plaque has been placed at the trailhead.
“He was dedicated to conservation — that’s pretty much what he did,” said his son, Corey Frentress, who was present for the placement of the stone.
Carl Frentress planned and cleared the original Hickory Loop trail in the late 1990s. He also helped to improve the arboretum’s lowlands areas by removing brush and transplanting bog-adapted plants, effectively establishing an open wetland ecosystem.
Frentress passed away in 2019 after serving with TPWD for 32 years.
In an interview with the Conservation History Association of Texas in late 2000, Frentress told David Todd, “...My philosophy of things is that society tends to forget what a natural resource base means to our well being … I say that stewardship of natural resources is a component of citizenship.”
The 100+ acre East Texas Arboretum indeed continues to be a source of well being for people from all over Texas during the COVID-19 pandemic, as the arboretum has managed to remain open throughout while following all city and state guidelines and order.
The arboretum has also released a companion online trail interpretation guide featuring more than 30 educational stations along the route. Stations include information about native tree, plant and fungi species, as well as general information about East Texas ecosystems and geology.
The new guide is the result of collaboration between naturalist Sonnia Hill and biologists Lucy Dueck and Jim Neal.
“Our intent is to further develop the signage along the trail which corresponds with the guide, moving from the small markers there now to larger interactive signs over time, but just having this guide is an amazing and long-needed education tool for the arboretum,” said Board Past President Laura Smith.
The East Texas Arboretum is located at 1601 Patterson Rd. in Athens, TX. For more information about the trail, call (903) 675-5630 or visit our website at http://www.easttexasarboretum.org.
ATHENS, TX — The East Texas Arboretum is proud to announce the renaming of the Hickory Loop trail to the Carl D. Frentress Hickory Loop trail. The loop is a rugged one-mile hiking trail located on arboretum grounds.
The trail was named for former Texas Parks and Wildlife wetland and waterfowl biologist and longtime Athens resident Carl Frentress, who was instrumental in developing the arboretum’s natural areas. To commemorate his contributions, a specially chosen slab of naturally hardened sandstone from the Texas-Arkansas-Oklahoma region adorned with a bronze plaque has been placed at the trailhead.
“He was dedicated to conservation — that’s pretty much what he did,” said his son, Corey Frentress, who was present for the placement of the stone.
Carl Frentress planned and cleared the original Hickory Loop trail in the late 1990s. He also helped to improve the arboretum’s lowlands areas by removing brush and transplanting bog-adapted plants, effectively establishing an open wetland ecosystem.
Frentress passed away in 2019 after serving with TPWD for 32 years.
In an interview with the Conservation History Association of Texas in late 2000, Frentress told David Todd, “...My philosophy of things is that society tends to forget what a natural resource base means to our well being … I say that stewardship of natural resources is a component of citizenship.”
The 100+ acre East Texas Arboretum indeed continues to be a source of well being for people from all over Texas during the COVID-19 pandemic, as the arboretum has managed to remain open throughout while following all city and state guidelines and order.
The arboretum has also released a companion online trail interpretation guide featuring more than 30 educational stations along the route. Stations include information about native tree, plant and fungi species, as well as general information about East Texas ecosystems and geology.
The new guide is the result of collaboration between naturalist Sonnia Hill and biologists Lucy Dueck and Jim Neal.
“Our intent is to further develop the signage along the trail which corresponds with the guide, moving from the small markers there now to larger interactive signs over time, but just having this guide is an amazing and long-needed education tool for the arboretum,” said Board Past President Laura Smith.
The East Texas Arboretum is located at 1601 Patterson Rd. in Athens, TX. For more information about the trail, call (903) 675-5630 or visit our website at http://www.easttexasarboretum.org.
East Texas Arboretum extends hours on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday
ATHENS, TX — The East Texas Arboretum and Botanical Society in Athens, Texas, is announcing new, later business hours on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday — 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
The arboretum is still open Monday, Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., offering a safe and tranquil space for DFW and East Texas residents to get outdoors — and out of the house.
“Visitor and staff safety are important to us during this current COVID-19 health situation,” said arboretum board president Laura Smith. “We hope that by remaining open daily, we can provide a calming sanctuary away from the concerning issues we are facing, but of course we request that visitors practice all CDC/WHO recommended social distancing and hygiene practices.”
Staff and volunteers continue to maintain the site’s expansive gardens. Plenty of soap and hand sanitizer are on hand, but those who are feeling unwell or are experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms are asked to stay home.
The East Texas Arboretum is a sprawling, 104-acre nonprofit nature preserve located about one hour southeast of DFW. With two miles of natural trails, dozens of cultivated garden areas, historical structures and attractions like a bee hive and bat house, there is really something for the whole family to enjoy. Bring a picnic, a pet (on a leash) or fly solo with a camera or set of binoculars.
The arboretum depends on funding from admissions, memberships, donations and grants. More information about becoming a member can be found online at easttexasarboretum.org/membership. Admission is free for members and children under 3. Adult admission is $4, students and seniors pay $3 and kids 3-5 are just $1. East Texas Arboretum members are also eligible for special admission privileges and discounts at over 300 gardens in the U.S. through the Reciprocal Admissions Program, including the Dallas Arboretum, Fort Worth Botanic Garden, Texas Discovery Gardens and more.
The East Texas Arboretum is located at 1601 Patterson Road in Athens, Texas. For more information, call 903-675-5630. Find us online at http://www.easttexasarboretum.org and on Facebook.
ATHENS, TX — The East Texas Arboretum and Botanical Society in Athens, Texas, is announcing new, later business hours on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday — 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
The arboretum is still open Monday, Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., offering a safe and tranquil space for DFW and East Texas residents to get outdoors — and out of the house.
“Visitor and staff safety are important to us during this current COVID-19 health situation,” said arboretum board president Laura Smith. “We hope that by remaining open daily, we can provide a calming sanctuary away from the concerning issues we are facing, but of course we request that visitors practice all CDC/WHO recommended social distancing and hygiene practices.”
Staff and volunteers continue to maintain the site’s expansive gardens. Plenty of soap and hand sanitizer are on hand, but those who are feeling unwell or are experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms are asked to stay home.
The East Texas Arboretum is a sprawling, 104-acre nonprofit nature preserve located about one hour southeast of DFW. With two miles of natural trails, dozens of cultivated garden areas, historical structures and attractions like a bee hive and bat house, there is really something for the whole family to enjoy. Bring a picnic, a pet (on a leash) or fly solo with a camera or set of binoculars.
The arboretum depends on funding from admissions, memberships, donations and grants. More information about becoming a member can be found online at easttexasarboretum.org/membership. Admission is free for members and children under 3. Adult admission is $4, students and seniors pay $3 and kids 3-5 are just $1. East Texas Arboretum members are also eligible for special admission privileges and discounts at over 300 gardens in the U.S. through the Reciprocal Admissions Program, including the Dallas Arboretum, Fort Worth Botanic Garden, Texas Discovery Gardens and more.
The East Texas Arboretum is located at 1601 Patterson Road in Athens, Texas. For more information, call 903-675-5630. Find us online at http://www.easttexasarboretum.org and on Facebook.
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