James Pass Arboretum
Encyclopedia
The James Pass Arboretum is located in Syracuse, New York
on the western edge of Tipperary Hill
on the city's Far Westside
and is bounded by South Avery Avenue on the east, Tompkins Street on the north, and Salisbury Road on the south. The western boundary is Sacred Heart Cemetery in the town of Geddes
and the northern side of the park also borders Myrtle Hill Cemetery.
potter
who came to Geddes
and along with his father, Richard Pass, was instrumental in the formation of the Onondaga Pottery Company which later became Syracuse China
. He also founded Pass & Seymour Inc.
Wife, Adelaide Pass was a member of the Salisbury family who had been Geddes salt makers and later managed Onondaga Pottery Company. She grew up at the corner of South Avery Avenue and Salisbury Road. The house was later moved to Tompkins Street and South Avery Avenue, facing the arboretum.
, March 21, 1925 to the city of Syracuse
in her husband's honor. The property included about 120 trees and shrubs and had previously been known as Salisbury Farm.
The donation was announced the next day by Mayor Walwrath who said "it is intended to pattern the Pass Arboretum after the famous Arnold Arboretum in Boston which attracts thousands from all parts of the country annually."
The total acreage donated by the Pass family for the park was 12.1 acres (48,967 m²). The city, with the co-operation of the College of Forestry at Syracuse University
, made plans to "start immediately on the development of the land with trees and shrubs. Complete development of the arboretum, however, will take years," city officials estimated.
The property donated by the Pass family was located in the town of Geddes
and officials were initially doubtful as to whether the city could accept property outside city borders. Plans were made to annex the tract, when Frank J. Cregg, corporation counsel, ruled that the city could legally accept property not within its limits.
Original planting occurred in 1927, however, by that time, the gardener's house, pond and shrub collection that James Pass installed no longer existed.
Plans were also made to complete the drainage system and develop a series of walks as well as the proposed planting of 100 trees in the arboretum annually. A lake with water floral display at a cost of $2,000 was also discussed and establishment of a shrub garden and erection of a "comfort station" and workroom completed the program.
The deed stipulated that the property must remain an arboretum and "never be used for a park." The deed also maintained that it be planted with native trees and the Pass family wished it to be "forever green." No flowers grow in a true arboretum. The only changes made over the years was the removal of trees, shrubs and hedges from the 1920s that died of old age and were not replaced, and a pond in the northeast corner was filled in.
The property was formally annexed by the city in early 1929.
Syracuse, New York
Syracuse is a city in and the county seat of Onondaga County, New York, United States, the largest U.S. city with the name "Syracuse", and the fifth most populous city in the state. At the 2010 census, the city population was 145,170, and its metropolitan area had a population of 742,603...
on the western edge of Tipperary Hill
Tipperary Hill
Tipperary Hill, sometimes known as Tipp Hill, is a district in the city of Syracuse, New York, largely settled by immigrants from Ireland, especially from County Tipperary. It makes up half of Syracuse's Far Westside neighborhood.-History:...
on the city's Far Westside
Far Westside, Syracuse
The Syracuse Far Westside is one of 26 recognized neighborhoods by the City of Syracuse, USA. Until this area joined the city in 1886 it was known as the village of Geddes.-History:...
and is bounded by South Avery Avenue on the east, Tompkins Street on the north, and Salisbury Road on the south. The western boundary is Sacred Heart Cemetery in the town of Geddes
Geddes, New York
Geddes is a town in Onondaga County, New York, United States. The population was 17,740 at the 2000 census.The Town of Geddes is west of the neighborhood of Far Westside of Syracuse. The town is a western suburb of Syracuse.- History :...
and the northern side of the park also borders Myrtle Hill Cemetery.
History
James Pass Arboretum was once named Pass' Field and is still called that by many residents. James Pass, originally owned the property, which was down the street from his residence. He was an EnglishEngland
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
potter
Pottery
Pottery is the material from which the potteryware is made, of which major types include earthenware, stoneware and porcelain. The place where such wares are made is also called a pottery . Pottery also refers to the art or craft of the potter or the manufacture of pottery...
who came to Geddes
Geddes, New York
Geddes is a town in Onondaga County, New York, United States. The population was 17,740 at the 2000 census.The Town of Geddes is west of the neighborhood of Far Westside of Syracuse. The town is a western suburb of Syracuse.- History :...
and along with his father, Richard Pass, was instrumental in the formation of the Onondaga Pottery Company which later became Syracuse China
Syracuse China
Syracuse China Corporation, located in Syracuse, New York, was a manufacturer of fine china. Founded in 1871 as Onondaga Pottery Company in the town of Geddes, New York, the company initially produced earthenware...
. He also founded Pass & Seymour Inc.
Pass property
About 1880, Pass built a house on South Avery Avenue near Salisbury Road across the street from Burnet Park. He died in 1913. The home, a traditional English Tudor, was demolished in the early 1980s for a private school.Wife, Adelaide Pass was a member of the Salisbury family who had been Geddes salt makers and later managed Onondaga Pottery Company. She grew up at the corner of South Avery Avenue and Salisbury Road. The house was later moved to Tompkins Street and South Avery Avenue, facing the arboretum.
Donated to city
After his death, wife, Adelaide S. Pass and family, donated the land on Arbor DayArbor Day
Arbor Day is a holiday in which individuals and groups are encouraged to plant and care for trees. It originated in Nebraska City, Nebraska, United States during 1872 by J. Sterling Morton. The first Arbor Day was held on April 10, 1872, and an estimated 1 million trees were planted that day.Many...
, March 21, 1925 to the city of Syracuse
Syracuse, New York
Syracuse is a city in and the county seat of Onondaga County, New York, United States, the largest U.S. city with the name "Syracuse", and the fifth most populous city in the state. At the 2010 census, the city population was 145,170, and its metropolitan area had a population of 742,603...
in her husband's honor. The property included about 120 trees and shrubs and had previously been known as Salisbury Farm.
The donation was announced the next day by Mayor Walwrath who said "it is intended to pattern the Pass Arboretum after the famous Arnold Arboretum in Boston which attracts thousands from all parts of the country annually."
The total acreage donated by the Pass family for the park was 12.1 acres (48,967 m²). The city, with the co-operation of the College of Forestry at Syracuse University
Syracuse University
Syracuse University is a private research university located in Syracuse, New York, United States. Its roots can be traced back to Genesee Wesleyan Seminary, founded by the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1832, which also later founded Genesee College...
, made plans to "start immediately on the development of the land with trees and shrubs. Complete development of the arboretum, however, will take years," city officials estimated.
The property donated by the Pass family was located in the town of Geddes
Geddes, New York
Geddes is a town in Onondaga County, New York, United States. The population was 17,740 at the 2000 census.The Town of Geddes is west of the neighborhood of Far Westside of Syracuse. The town is a western suburb of Syracuse.- History :...
and officials were initially doubtful as to whether the city could accept property outside city borders. Plans were made to annex the tract, when Frank J. Cregg, corporation counsel, ruled that the city could legally accept property not within its limits.
Original planting occurred in 1927, however, by that time, the gardener's house, pond and shrub collection that James Pass installed no longer existed.
Improvements
On March 21, 1929, Mayor Charles G. Hanna announced that appropriation of sufficient money to build a fence around James Pass Arboretum would be included in the spring bond issue that year. The arboretum was overrun by automobiles and some trees planted there had been mutilated and in some cases were cut down by local boys. Later that year, on December 9, 1929 the mayor announced plans for a five-year program for improvements including construction of water mains and laterals on the grounds and erection of a fence around the property and an "ornamental gateway."Plans were also made to complete the drainage system and develop a series of walks as well as the proposed planting of 100 trees in the arboretum annually. A lake with water floral display at a cost of $2,000 was also discussed and establishment of a shrub garden and erection of a "comfort station" and workroom completed the program.
The deed stipulated that the property must remain an arboretum and "never be used for a park." The deed also maintained that it be planted with native trees and the Pass family wished it to be "forever green." No flowers grow in a true arboretum. The only changes made over the years was the removal of trees, shrubs and hedges from the 1920s that died of old age and were not replaced, and a pond in the northeast corner was filled in.
The property was formally annexed by the city in early 1929.
Trees
By 2010, some of the varieties of trees that remained included a wide list of trees and shrubs. The trees and shrubbery were originally labeled, however, the signage "vanished years ago."- American Arborvitae - Thuja occidentalisThuja occidentalisThuja occidentalis is an evergreen coniferous tree, in the cypress family Cupressaceae, which is widely cultivated for use as an ornamental plant known as American Arbor Vitae. The endemic occurrence of this species is a northeastern distribution in North America...
- Aralia - Acanthopanax pentaphyllumAraliaAralia , or Spikenard, is a genus of the plant family Araliaceae, consisting of 68 accepted species of deciduous or evergreen trees, shrubs, and rhizomatous herbaceous perennials. The genus is native to Asia and the Americas, with most species occurring in mountain woodlands...
- Ash - Fraxinus
- Basswood - Tilia americanaTilia americanaTilia americana is a species of Tilia native to eastern North America, from southeast Manitoba east to New Brunswick, southwest to northeast Texas, and southeast to South Carolina, and west along the Niobrara River to Cherry County, Nebraska...
- Bay willow - Salix pentandra
- Birch - BetulaBirchBirch is a tree or shrub of the genus Betula , in the family Betulaceae, closely related to the beech/oak family, Fagaceae. The Betula genus contains 30–60 known taxa...
- Black locust - Robinia pseudoacacia
- Black walnut - Juglans nigra
- Box elder - Acer negundoAcer negundoAcer negundo is a species of maple native to North America. Box Elder, Boxelder Maple, and Maple Ash are its most common names in the United States...
- Buckthorn - RhamnusBuckthornThe Buckthorns are a genus of about 100 species of shrubs or small trees from 1-10 m tall , in the buckthorn family Rhamnaceae...
- Castor oil tree - KalopanaxKalopanaxKalopanax septemlobus, common name prickly castor oil tree, is a deciduous tree in the family Araliaceae, the sole species in the genus Kalopanax. It is native to northeastern Asia, from Sakhalin and Japan west to southwestern China....
- Catalpa - Catalpa speciosa
- Cork Oak - Quercus suber
- Crabapple - MalusMalusMalus , the apples, are a genus of about 30–35 species of small deciduous trees or shrubs in the family Rosaceae. Other studies go as far as 55 species including the domesticated Orchard Apple, or Table apple as it was formerly called...
- Cypress - CupressaceaeCupressaceaeThe Cupressaceae or cypress family is a conifer family with worldwide distribution. The family includes 27 to 30 genera , which include the junipers and redwoods, with about 130-140 species in total. They are monoecious, subdioecious or dioecious trees and shrubs from 1-116 m tall...
- Dogwood - Cornus (genus)
- Elderberry - Sambucus
- European mountain ash - Sorbus aucupariaSorbus aucupariaSorbus aucuparia , is a species of the genus Sorbus, native to most of Europe except for the far south, and northern Asia...
- Fir - abies
- Flowering Quince - ChaenomelesChaenomelesChaenomeles is a genus of three species of deciduous spiny shrubs, usually 1–3 m tall, in the family Rosaceae. They are native to eastern Asia in Japan, China and Korea...
- Hawthorn - CrataegusCrataegusCrataegus , commonly called hawthorn or thornapple, is a large genus of shrubs and trees in the rose family, Rosaceae, native to temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere in Europe, Asia and North America. The name hawthorn was originally applied to the species native to northern Europe,...
- Hickory - CaryaHickoryTrees in the genus Carya are commonly known as hickory, derived from the Powhatan language of Virginia. The genus includes 17–19 species of deciduous trees with pinnately compound leaves and big nuts...
- Hinoki False Cypress - Chamaecyparis obtusaChamaecyparis obtusaChamaecyparis obtusa is a species of cypress native to central Japan.It is a slow-growing tree which grows to 35 m tall with a trunk up to 1 m in diameter. The bark is dark red-brown...
- Horse chestnut (Conker Tree) - Aesculus hippocastanum
- Chinese juniper - Juniperus chinensisJuniperus chinensisJuniperus chinensis grows as a shrub or tree with a very variable in shape, reaching 1-20 m tall. This native of northeast Asia grows in China, Mongolia, Japan, Korea and the southeast of Russia.-Growth:...
- Katsura - Cercidiphyllum
- Kentucky coffeetree - Gymnocladus dioicusKentucky coffeetreeThe Kentucky Coffeetree, Gymnocladus dioicus, is a tree in the subfamily Caesalpinioideae of the pea family Fabaceae, native to the midwest of North America.-Introduction:...
- Larch - Larix
- Lilac - Syringa vulgaris ‘President Grevey’
- Locust - Common locustLocustLocusts are the swarming phase of short-horned grasshoppers of the family Acrididae. These are species that can breed rapidly under suitable conditions and subsequently become gregarious and migratory...
- MagnoliaMagnoliaMagnolia is a large genus of about 210 flowering plant species in the subfamily Magnolioideae of the family Magnoliaceae. It is named after French botanist Pierre Magnol....
- Maple - AcerMapleAcer is a genus of trees or shrubs commonly known as maple.Maples are variously classified in a family of their own, the Aceraceae, or together with the Hippocastanaceae included in the family Sapindaceae. Modern classifications, including the Angiosperm Phylogeny Group system, favour inclusion in...
- Mulberry - Morus
- Norway maple - Acer platanoides
- Oak - QuercusOakAn oak is a tree or shrub in the genus Quercus , of which about 600 species exist. "Oak" may also appear in the names of species in related genera, notably Lithocarpus...
- Osage orange - Maclura pomifera
- Oriental Arborvitae - Platycladus orientalis
- Oriental plane - Platanus orientalisPlatanus orientalisPlatanus orientalis, or the Oriental plane, is a large, deciduous tree of the Platanaceae family, known for its longevity and spreading crown. The species name derives from its historical distribution eastward from the Balkans, where it was recognized in ancient Greek history and literature....
- Pine - Pinus
- Port Orford Cedar - Chamaecyparis lawsonianaChamaecyparis lawsonianaChamaecyparis lawsoniana is a cypress in the genus Chamaecyparis, family Cupressaceae, known by the name Lawson's Cypress in the horticultural trade, or Port Orford-cedar in its native range . C...
- Rose of SharonRose of SharonRose of Sharon is a common name that applies to several different species of flowering plants that are highly valued throughout the world. The name's colloquial application has been used as an example of the lack of precision of common names, which potentially causes confusion...
- Sargent's Hemlock - TsugaTsugaTsuga is a genus of conifers in the family Pinaceae. The common name hemlock is derived from a perceived similarity in the smell of its crushed foliage to that of the unrelated plant poison hemlock....
- Sawara False Cypress - Chamaecyparis pisiferaChamaecyparis pisiferaChamaecyparis pisifera Chamaecyparis pisifera Chamaecyparis pisifera (Sawara Cypress or Sawara is a species of false cypress, native to central and southern Japan, on the islands of Honshū and Kyūshū....
- Spruce - Picea
- Threadleaf False Cypress - Chamaecyparis pisiferaChamaecyparis pisiferaChamaecyparis pisifera Chamaecyparis pisifera Chamaecyparis pisifera (Sawara Cypress or Sawara is a species of false cypress, native to central and southern Japan, on the islands of Honshū and Kyūshū....
- Tulip tree - Liriodendron tulipifera ‘aureomarginata’Liriodendron tulipiferaLiriodendron tulipifera, commonly known as the tulip tree, American tulip tree, tuliptree, tulip poplar or yellow poplar, is the Western Hemisphere representative of the two-species genus Liriodendron, and the tallest eastern hardwood...
- ViburnumViburnumViburnum is a genus of about 150–175 species of shrubs or small trees in the moschatel family, Adoxaceae. Its current classification is based on molecular phylogeny...
- Walnut - JuglansWalnutJuglans is a plant genus of the family Juglandaceae, the seeds of which are known as walnuts. They are deciduous trees, 10–40 meters tall , with pinnate leaves 200–900 millimetres long , with 5–25 leaflets; the shoots have chambered pith, a character shared with the wingnuts , but not the hickories...
- Western Arborvitae - Thuja plicataThuja plicataThuja plicata, commonly called Western or pacific red cedar, giant or western arborvitae, giant cedar, or shinglewood, is a species of Thuja, an evergreen coniferous tree in the cypress family Cupressaceae native to western North America...
- Wild black cherry - Prunus serotina
- Willow - SalixWillowWillows, sallows, and osiers form the genus Salix, around 400 species of deciduous trees and shrubs, found primarily on moist soils in cold and temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere...
- Yew - Taxus baccataTaxus baccataTaxus baccata is a conifer native to western, central and southern Europe, northwest Africa, northern Iran and southwest Asia. It is the tree originally known as yew, though with other related trees becoming known, it may be now known as the English yew, or European yew.-Description:It is a small-...
Shrubs
The arboretum also has shrubs and plantings such as;- Blackberry - RubusBlackBerryBlackBerry is a line of mobile email and smartphone devices developed and designed by Canadian company Research In Motion since 1999.BlackBerry devices are smartphones, designed to function as personal digital assistants, portable media players, internet browsers, gaming devices, and much more...
- Blue Periwinkle - Vinca majorVinca majorVinca major, with the common names Bigleaf Periwinkle, Large Periwinkle, Greater Periwinkle and Blue Periwinkle, is an herbaceous, perennial, rhizomatous and stoloniferous flowering plant in the genus Vinca belonging to the family Apocynaceae.-Etymology:The genus name probably derives from the...
- Diervilla - Lonicera
- Foamflower - SaxifragaceaeSaxifragaceaeSaxifragaceae is a plant family with about 460 known species in 36 genera. In Europe there are 12 genera.The flowers are hermaphroditic and actinomorphic...
- Forsythia - OleaceaeForsythiaForsythia is a genus of flowering plants in the family Oleaceae . There are about 11 species, mostly native to eastern Asia, but one native to southeastern Europe. The common name is also Forsythia; the genus is named after William Forsyth.-Growth:They are deciduous shrubs typically growing to a...
- Hydrangea - HortensiaHydrangeaHydrangea is a genus of about 70 to 75 species of flowering plants native to southern and eastern Asia and North and South America. By far the greatest species diversity is in eastern Asia, notably China, Japan, and Korea...
- Honeysuckle - LoniceraHoneysuckleHoneysuckles are arching shrubs or twining vines in the family Caprifoliaceae, native to the Northern Hemisphere. There are about 180 species of honeysuckle, 100 of which occur in China; Europe, India and North America have only about 20 native species each...
- Meadow grass - Poa pratensis
- Mock-orange - PhiladelphusMock-orangeMock-orange is a genus of about 60 species of shrubs from 1 to 6 m tall, native to North America, Central America, Asia and in southeast Europe....
- Stinging nettle - Urtica dioicaStinging nettleStinging nettle or common nettle, Urtica dioica, is a herbaceous perennial flowering plant, native to Europe, Asia, northern Africa, and North America, and is the best-known member of the nettle genus Urtica...
- Sweet Woodruff - Galium odoratum