To the editor:

Just when we think we know everything about our lovely city park, along comes more information from that ace historian, Don Skinner.

Did you know that once a lake was planned for the area between the Floral Exhibition Hall and the south side of the track (Peabody Gazette, March 1, 1900)? However, by May 9, 1909, the newspaper reported the “pond” was a failure and it was being filled up.

Additional facts about the park include:

“The old tank for drinking water has been filled in and filled with water lilies donated by Mrs. E.W. Stephens and Charles Sawtelle.”

“Two beds of tulips have been worth going to see and the snowballs will be a sight to see if the cold windstorms and had frosts have not spoiled them.”

“The old windmill has been taken down and a bed for 35 ever-blooming roses has been made.”

Almost every year a story was written about who has donated fine trees, but one fascinating issue of the Gazette (Sept. 3, 1914) tells about the “three beautiful trees just west of the fountain in the park — and perhaps you have wondered what kind they are? Henry Schubert was speaking of them this morning and says they are Linden trees and in Germany they are highly prized.”

Could the writer of this story perhaps have them mixed up with the Linden trees on the Peabody Library lawn and the old fountain that once was there, but now is on the Morgan House lawn?

At any rate, Peabody does have some fine old Linden trees today and they are uncommon in this area. The wonderful fragrance from the library Lindens each spring is another Peabody treasure!

Marilyn Jones
Peabody Historical Society