City leaders on Friday recognized the 100th anniversary of the creation of Memorial Drive and invited residents to explore Veterans Memorial Garden in Antelope Park.
Memorial Avenue, now Memorial Drive, originally ran from Antelope Park to 33rd Street near Van Dorn Street. It was established by the Lincoln Women’s Club and developed as a memorial to 91 men and two women from Lancaster County who died in service during World War I. Ninety-three trees were planted along the street and a bronze plate bearing the name of a soldier or nurse was placed next to each tree.
On April 2, 1923, Memorial Avenue was dedicated and presented to the City. A bronze marker inscribed with all 93 names was mounted on an eight-ton boulder and placed at the north end of Memorial Avenue.
“Lincoln is a community that recognizes and believes in service and sacrifice for our community and country,” says Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird. “Those values are as important today as they were 100 years ago. It is important to lift them up not only to recognize the sacrifices of the past, but also to call us to service to our community now and into the future.”
In 2006, the boulder was moved to its current location in the Veterans Memorial Garden. 30 of the original 93 trees remain. In recognition of this centennial anniversary, the Parks and Recreation team has temporarily tied ribbons around the original trees that still exist.
“We thank the neighbors of Antelope Park who called attention to this milestone for Memorial Drive. Our team considers it one of our highest honors to care for this memorial to Lancaster County residents who died during World War I,” says Parks and Recreation Director Maggie Stuckey-Ross. Though 100 years have passed, their sacrifice, and the loss endured by their families, has not been forgotten.”