Jacksonville: City of Pleasant Memories
The Treaty Oak
Ha! I had to laugh when I came across this advertisement from Jacksonville’s past. The name on it was “Frank B. Winschell, Tourist and Convention Bureau, Hemming Park, Jacksonville 2, Florida.”
The ad highlights the following:
[A young seedling at the time of William the Conqueror…A 400 year old monarch when Columbus first touched our shores. The 800 year old Treaty Oak is just one of the nationally recognised attractions in and around Jacksonville. A “must” for the discerning visitor. Jacksonville… City of History. Rick in mementoes of a colourful and exciting past. Send for your FREE copy of “City of Pleasant Memories”.]
( I wish I had a copy of the free brochure. Don’t you?)
In looking up Mr. Winschell, it seems he was heavily involved in the Florida Historical society rubbing elbows with such Jacksonville history superstars as Miss Dena Snodgrass, Albert Manucy, Dr. Merritt, Mark F. Boyd and others. Certainly, Miss Snodgrass kept him in line. I spoke with her once at length and realised right away that she was a take-charge kind of person. More on her later….
The great Treaty Oak was being highlighted as a “ nationally recognised attraction… a must for the discerning visitor.”
You can go see this massive tree too at 1123 Prudential Drive, Jacksonville, Florida. The massive tree is located in the Jessie Ball duPont Park, where it has been sitting for over 2 centuries, opens at 7am and closes at sun down.(Note: The City purchased the property somewhere between 1964-1971 and name it in honour of Jessie duPont, a wealthy Jacksonville philanthropist). The tree is believed to be at least 250 years old. (Winschell has it at over 800 years old?).
Over the years the city and interested groups have done various things to keep it alive and well in our fair city. In 1995 there was a major enhancement of the park including shoring up the tree.
The Treaty Oak is so big that you and your immediate family cannot hold hands and complete the circle. Go see it. You’ll have more pleasant memories of Jacksonville.
See you tomorrow,
