The Tyrone Garden Club met June 17, 1942, and completed the transaction of leasing from the Pennsylvania Railroad Company the plot of ground lying between Fourteenth and Fifteenth Streets on one hand, and between Lincoln Avenue and the railroad tracks on the other. The Garden Club took this step in order to carry out a beautification project on the plot as a memorial to all those from Tyrone and the vicinity who were, or would be, engaged in World War II.
Plans said all shrubbery and plants that will be found growing in the park are donations from the people of Tyrone, who have contributed them as a tangible tribute to their loved ones who are serving in the Armed Forces.
The whole idea of doing something with this plot of ground that has been known as “The Green” came as a suggestion from Mr. William Beck. Mr. Beck took his idea to the Garden Club, under Mrs. Harry Bowser, president, stating that he thought it a shame that a plot of ground so near the center of the town should go to waste when it could be possible to cultivate it as a memorial to the gallant sons and daughters of Tyrone and vicinity who were engaged in this war.
Mrs. Bowser presented Mr. Beck’s idea to the Garden Club, and they decided to undertake improving it. They asked for donations from the townspeople to help make this dream a reality, and the Tyronians responded magnificently with donations coming from businesses as well as from individuals.
Once work started on the park, a fountain, benches, and birdhouses were put in it, as well as general improvements of the grounds themselves, such as the planting of grass and flowers and the putting of a gravel path through it, have been made. Then, too, a conscientious citizen paid for a flag pole to be erected in honor of his son.
Thus, we have Soldier’s Park, a reality in our town and of our town!
Submitted by Don Boytim, Chaplain and Adjutant, Sons of the American Legion.
