Memorial Park rededicated as Veterans Memorial Park in 1969 to honor all who served
Trish,
My WWII friend tells me that Memorial Park was originally named "Veterans Memorial Park." He tells me that for every veteran that was killed in WWII, a tree was planted there. Please investigate and elaborate. Who made the name changes? If possible, please provide as much history as possible.
Alfredo Ruiz
Thanks for writing in, Alfredo. There seems to be some confusion on the name of the park. The park was originally Castle Heights Park and was renamed Memorial Park in 1920 to honor El Pasoans who served in WWI. On July 4, 1969, it was rededicated as Veterans Memorial Park. I did not find any other change to the name.
The El Paso Times has continued to refer to the park as Veterans Memorial Park, although a check of the city website lists the park as simply Memorial Park.
It was Dec. 10, 1918, when a preliminary meeting was held in the office of Mayor Charles Davis to make plans for a “suitable memorial to the soldiers and sailors who have given their services and their lives in the great war.”
It was decided that the park as a whole would honor those who served in the war and that 60 trees would be planted at the park in commemoration of the El Pasoans who gave their lives for their country during the war.
An article below reports that Memorial Park was dedicated in 1925, but I have yet to find any article on the dedication ceremony.
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On May 13, 1920, the city approved plans for the park and set aside $10,000 for the project:
Memorial Park plan approved by council
Plans for the improvement of Memorial Park in Manhattan Heights, as recommended by the city planning commission, were approved by the City Council Thursday. Vote on acceptance of the plans was unanimous.
The plans were sanctioned by the committee at a special meeting at the chamber of commerce Wednesday night and the matter taken up with the city authorities by the committee Thursday.
Drives and bypaths
Memorial Park will have an area of 30 acres. It formerly was known as Castle Heights. Plans as drawn by W.E. Stockwell, the city planning commission’s engineer, call for many winding drives and lanes and bypaths. Each of these thoroughfares will have a name taken from some battle or locality of war fame. The main drive, for instance, will be the Meuse-Argonne drive. Another drive will be known as Belleau Woods road. One smaller path will be Cantigny path and another Somme path.
Trees of a species best suited to this climate will be planted with considerable profusion to afford shade. Grass also will be planted over the entire park.
Bandstand in center
In the center will be Soissons circle. In this circle there will be a bandstand. The trees and grass are to be planted this fall, provided the city accepts the recommendations.
A sum of $10,000 is now available for the improvement of Memorial Park.
From the June 3, 1969, El Paso Times:
Change for park approved
El Paso City Council has approved the proposal to rededicate Memorial Park to all veterans, alive and deceased, by renaming it Veterans Memorial Park with rededication ceremonies scheduled for July 4, according to James F. Conner, program chairman.
The program tentatively is scheduled for 9 a.m. July 4 with Congressman Richard C. White, D-El Paso, as guest speaker. Mayor Peter de Wetter will give the dedication speech and Chris P. Fox will be master of ceremonies.
Among invited guests are the United Veterans Council of El Paso, El Paso Pioneer Association, El Paso Historical Society, Gold Star Mothers, War Widows, each branch of the military and El Paso Chamber of Commerce.
Memorial Park was dedicated in 1925 to World War I veterans.
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From the July 4, 1969, El Paso Times:
El Paso-area residents mark Fourth
Thousands of El Paso area residents turned out for Independence Day festivities in spite of 102 degree temperatures and increased humidity. They attended observances and recreation offered at several El Paso parks and area locations during a full day which culminated in a giant fireworks display at Ascarate Park.
Mayor Peter de Wetter made two official appearances. He rededicated Memorial Park to Veterans’ Memorial Park and also spoke to assembled youths at Eastwood Park, where a series of pop bands played all day.
At Veterans’ Memorial Park, de Wetter said that the park would serve as a monument to El Paso veterans of all the wars, and he gave tribute to 150 El Pasoans who have died in Vietnam.
He said in his dedication speech, “Perhaps our best tribute to our fallen heroes shall be the continued progress in beautifying this lovely park."
Trish Long may be reached at tlong@elpasotimes.com or 915-546-6179.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: El Paso's Veterans Memorial Park honors all who served: Trish Long
