path through the gardens

Spring at the Dallas Arboretum

The Dallas Arboretum is one of the most incredible sites you can see while visiting Dallas. Located on the shores of White Rock Lake, you can explore 66 acres of magnificent grounds with an incredible backdrop of the Dallas skyline. Whether you visit during peak bloom or during the off-season, you are sure to find beauty in every last corner of the Dallas Arboretum.

History of the Dallas Arboretum

Not only will you be stepping into gardens of phenomenal beauty, but the history of the Dallas Arboretum is also extensive. Although it is young compared to other botanical institutions in the nation, its history is rich. The Dallas Arboretum was born from civic leaders and philanthropists who believed that Dallas deserved a place where the community could flourish in tandem with nature. So, in 1974, the Dallas Arboretum & Botanical Society adopted bylaws, elected officers, and incorporated as a nonprofit.

The Dallas Arboretum & Botanical Society then raised funds to purchase the historic DeGolyer estate, as well as the adjacent property. In 1982, the City of Dallas signed a contract with the Dallas Arboretum & Botanical Society, which created the arboretum and botanical garden on the grounds of these properties. The Dallas Arboretum officially opened to the public for the first time in 1984.

Since the roots of the arboretum come from civic leaders and philanthropists, the mission of the Dallas Arboretum remains similar to the mission at its founding. The arboretum supports equal opportunity and accessibility for all and promotes a safe and engaging experience that is welcoming to all. The garden hopes to inspire curiosity, foster connection, and create experiences that follow all who visit long after they leave the beautiful grounds of the Dallas Arboretum.

When to Visit the Dallas Arboretum

While you can visit all year round, the best times to visit the Dallas Arboretum are the spring and the fall. In the spring, you can catch the Dallas Blooms festival, which features over 500,000 blooming bulbs including 350,000+ tulips. In the fall, you can experience Autumn at the Arboretum, where there are 90,000+ pumpkins, gourds, and squash on display. That being said, the grounds are kept lovely all year round, so if you can’t make it during those times, don’t worry! Find out more about what the Dallas Arboretum has to offer below.

STOP AND SMELL THE ROSES!

The Rockies: Sites of Silver Plume

Today I took a photographic tour of Silver Plume. Silver Plume, incorporated in 1880, was once a silver mining camp along Clear Creek in the Rocky Mountains. The town neighbored a more glamorous Georgetown. What it lacked in elegance, however, it gained in mines. During the silver boom, Silver Plume was home to more than forty mines with a terrific output. The profits tended to flow two miles down stream to Georgetown where the mine owners lived, while mine workers lived Silver Plume.

The European immigrants of Silver Plume not only worked in the mines, but also started their own businesses including a newspaper, a brewery, and the 7:30’s mine cornet band. Legend has it that the mine owner was so proud of his band, that he hired miners that were better at playing music than mining!

After the silver crash in 1893, Silver Plume and Georgetown struggled to survive. It wasn’t until the 1960’s when locals recognized the historical and architectural value of the towns, preserved local buildings and created the Georgetown-Silver Plume National Landmark Historic District that the town’s began to showcase their history and attract tourism. The District also includes the Georgetown Railroad that still runs between the towns today.

Silver Plume is about 50 miles west of Denver in the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains is home to many gems. I strolled along the town’s dirt roads past a handful of homes, a few businesses, and a significant amount of history including an old jail, the spring used for brewing, a church, a generator, and many other rusted remnants of the mining days. Up on the hill just east of town, I explored the outer structure of an old mine.

While once home to several thousand, now Silver Plume is a sleepy town home to a few hundred. It was a pleasure to stroll Silver Plume’s quiet streets and to soak in Colorado’s mining history just as a thunderstorm rolled through the mountains. The thunder sounded quite ominous as it echoed through the valley, but it was enjoyable to hear as it is a rare occurrence in the Denver area. Happy Easter! ETB

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