The 94th Annual Iris Festival, held last weekend at the Will Rogers Garden Exhibition Center in Oklahoma City, is finally what got me over to the historic Will Rogers Gardens. When we moved back to the area (now more than six years!), I’d spotted the Ed Lycan Conservatory from the freeway. Inspired by 19th century Victorian design, the Conservatory is a glass-enclosed greenhouse, now home to cactuses and succulents.
The Conservatory is an iconic focal point at the Will Rogers Gardens, which encompass 30 acres of seasonal flowers, native and rare trees, flowing water and trails. You’ll likely spot bunnies, squirrels, birds and bees too. You’ll hear the freeway noise too. Likely no one anticipated that back in the day! And when the freeway was built, likely anyone would have been ridiculed if a proposal to build a stretch underground had been proposed. The wildlife seems to have adapted, so maybe it doesn’t matter.
The Gardens have earned a spot on the National Register of Historic Places for their historical and horticultural significance. Originally named Northwest Park, in 1936 the park was renamed Will Rogers Park to honor one of Oklahoma’s most famous sons, Cherokee Indian Will Rogers, actor, cowboy, humorist and social commentator.
Before being transformed into a park, the land was used for a dairy farm. Oklahoma City horticulturist Henry Walter began developing the 30-acre garden, with contributions from the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) and the Works Progress Administration (WPA), during the 1930s.
Some pics from my quick visit:
As noted in the opening, the irises are what drew me to Will Rogers. A bit of nostalgia. My mother, Katherine, kept an amazing flowering backyard in the Ponca City, Oklahoma, summers, and I remember lots of deep purple irises.
More information about the Will Rogers Gardens is here and here.
Become a Friend of the Will Rogers Gardens here.
Information about the Oklahoma Iris Society is here.
Join us on X and FB for what’s happening in Oklahoma.
If you find this news recap useful, please share! Thanks!
Oklahoma Redux is published by Maria Fotopoulos.
Like Oklahoma Redux? Buy a cup of coffee to keep it going! Thanks!
Comments
Nothing yet. Say the first thing.
Sign in to join the conversation.