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HomeMy WebLinkAbout191-12 RESOLUTIONRESOLUTION NO. 191-12 A RESOLUTION NAMING THE LAKE FAYETTEVILLE PRAIRIE RESTORATION AREA "CALLIE'S PRAIRIE" IN HONOR OF CALLIE HENSON, AN EARLY PIONEER AND LAND OWNER BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS: Section 1. That the City Council of the City of Fayetteville, Arkansas hereby names the Lake Fayetteville Prairie Restoration Area "Callie's Prairie" in honor of Callie Henson, an early pioneer and land owner. PASSED and APPROVED this 211d day of October, 2012. APPROVED: ATTEST: By: a•t., rt:• C Y ])irndet., SONDRA E. SMITH, City Clerk/Treasurer City of Fayetteville Staff Review Form City Council Agenda Items and Contracts, Leases or Agreements 10/2/2012 City Council Meeting Date Agenda Items Only Byron Humphry Park Maintenance Submitted By Division Action Required: Parks and Recreation Department A resolution to name the Lake Fayetteville prairie restoration area CaItie's Prairie In honor of CaIlie Henson, early pioneer and property owner. Cost of this request NA Account Number NA Project Number Budgeted Item Category / Project Budget Program Category / Project Name Funds Used to Date Program / Project Category Name Remaining Balance Fund Name Budget Adjustment Attached partrn • 1 1 /11.7.11J +R" ttorney Date 41- q- /2 - Date Finance and Internal Services Director Date Previous Ordinance or Resolution # Original Contract Date: Original Contract Number: Comments: Revised January 15, 2009 av'F�Cte ville THE CITY OF FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS DEPARTMENT CORRESPONDENCE ARKANSAS www.accessfayetteville.org CITY COUNCIL AGENDA MEMO To: Mayor Lioneld Jordan and City Council Thru: Don Marr, Chief of Staff Connie Edmonston, Parks and Recreation Director e' From: Byron Humphry, Maintenance Superintendent PM— Date: September 14, 2012 Subject: Name the prairie renovation area at Lake Fayetteville, "Callie's Prairie". PROPOSAL: Parks and Recreation, the Fayetteville Natural Heritage Association (FNHA), and the Environmental Study Center have been involved in a prairie restoration project since 2009. This project is located in the Northeast portion of Lake Fayetteville Park and is adjacent to the historic Butterfield Trail that traverses the park. The prairie area consists of approximately 30 acres of managed prairie. The focus of the project is to slowly transform the project area from an ecosystem dominated by invasive plant species to a prairie/oak savannah ecosystem dominated by native plants. The process began by physically removing invasive eastern red cedars and will continue to be managed by selective plant removal and prescribed burns. The result is a prairie area that is reminiscent of what early European settlers encountered when they first settled in the area. As the project develops and the prairie area becomes more defined and distinct, park patrons are given a glimpse of our historical heritage. In keeping with this mindset, FNHA conducted extensive research into the history of the area where the prairie project is located at Lake Fayetteville Park. One of the early landowners of the property was Callie Henson. A more detailed account of Callie's life and trek to NW Arkansas is attached to this packet. Because of Callie's documented love of the property and the historical significance that her story gives to the area, FNHA requests that the prairie area be named Callie's Prairie. Parks Staff and FNHA brought the naming request before the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board at the August meeting. Per City policy, the Parks Board tabled the item for one month to allow for public input. The request was voted on at the September Parks Board meeting where the vote passed unanimously. RECOMMENDATION: A resolution to name the Lake Fayetteville prairie restoration area Callie's Prairie in honor of Callie Henson, early pioneer and property owner. THE CITY OF FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS BUDGET IMPACT: Naming the prairie will in itself have no budget impact. FNHA has requested the Parks Department cost share an interpretative sign that gives historical information concerning Callie's Prairie. The Parks Department also wishes to provide signage that details the process of the project and provides information on the prairie/oak savannah ecosystem. The costs of the signs will come from existing Parks budget. Attachments: Staff Review Form PRAB August minutes PRAB September minutes History of Callie Henson Map of Lake Fayetteville Prairie Restoration Area RESOLUTION NO. A RESOLUTION NAMING THE LAKE FAYETTEVILLE PRAIRIE RESTORATION AREA "CALLIE'S PRAIRIE" IN HONOR OF CALLIE HENSON, AN EARLY PIONEER AND LAND OWNER BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS: Section 1. That the City Council of the City of Fayetteville, Arkansas hereby names the Lake Fayetteville Prairie Restoration Area "Callie's Prairie" in honor of Callie Henson, an early pioneer and land owner. PASSED and APPROVED this 2nd day of October, 2012. APPROVED: ATTEST: By: By: LIONELD JORDAN, Mayor SONDRA E. SMITH, City Clerk/Treasurer ay'F eltulle FAYETTEVILLE PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD Minutes for August 6, 2012 Opening: The regular meeting of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board was called to order by Steve Meldrum at 5:37 p.m. at the Frisco Trail, west of the Greenhouse Grille, and north of MKL Blvd. The meeting then convened at Room 111 at City Hall at 113 West Mountain in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Present: Parks and Recreation Advisory Board members Meldrum, Watson, Lawson, Leonard, McKnight, Paul, Proffitt, and Waite were present. No one was absent. Staff members Edmonston, Gipson, Jumper, Mihalevich, and Thomas were in attendance. AGENDA: 5. FNHA Request to name Lake Fayetteville's Prairie Restoration Area as Callie's Prairie: Bob Caulk, FNHA See attached Park Naming Policy and proposal. Staff Recommendation: To name Lake Fayetteville's Prairie Restoration Area as Callie's Prairie. This item will be tabled for one month in order to allow for public input until the September 10th meeting. Bob Caulk, a member of the Fayetteville National Heritage Association, says the organization wants to rename the prairie as `Callie's Prairie'. The prairie is in the NE portion of the park. That area has been identified as former upland prairie. Parks has been working with the group to help restore the area with controlled burns, and removing invasives. FNHA is working with the City to develop a restoration plan. He said by naming the prairie `Callie's Prairie', it can help teach the value of selective eco -restoration. He 1 added that the area's history complements the Butterfield Trail, and Callie's romantic story adds interest. Edmonston said that the prairie naming has to be tabled for one month per City policy in order to allow for public comment. Meldrum thanked Caulk for the history behind the prairie. Edmonston also thanked Caulk as well as the FNHA for their work on this project. She said that the history is fascinating. PRAB Motion: This was tabled for one month to allow for public comment. 2 FAYETTEVILLE PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD Minutes for September 10, 2012 Opening: The regular meeting of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board was called to order by Steve Meldrum at 5:33 p.m. in Room 111 at the City Administration Building at 113 West Mountain Street in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Present: Parks and Recreation Advisory Board members McKnight, Leonard, Meldrum, Lawson, and Proffitt were present. Waite, Paul, and Watson were absent. City Staff members present were Edmonston, Jumper, and Humphry. 1. FNHA Request to name Lake Fayetteville's Prairie Restoration Area as Callie's Prairie: Bob Caulk, FNHA See attached Park Naming Policy and proposal. Staff Recommendation: To naive Lake Fayetteville's Prairie Restoration Area as Callie's Prairie. This item was tabled for one month at the August 6`'' meeting in order to allow for public input until the September 10th meeting. Meldrum asked if anyone had received any public input on the name. No one had. PRAB Motion: A motion to accept the request to name Lake Fayetteville's Prairie Restoration arca as Callie's Prairie was made. The motion passed 5-0-0 by voice vote. Sarah Caroline 'Caine' Gregg Henson The Gregg and Henson families were early landowners in eastern Washington County near the community of Oxford Bend, located on the White River four miles east of Fayetteville, AR. In 1857 at eighteen, Sarah Caroline 'Callie' Gregg married a twenty five year old widower, Thomas Andrew 'Andy' Henson. Andy's first wife had two children; Byrd and Laura Louise. At the beginning of the civil war, Andy and Callie's home and other homes in the area were attacked by bushwhackers. After being nearly killed by bushwhackers, the Henson's decided to leave. Andy freed his slaves (2), then took Callie and the children to Missouri for relative safety. After he enlisted in the Union Army, he served as a scout in the First Arkansas Calvary. Callie's parents Albert G. Gregg and Sultana Jane Barr, lived on land that was patented in 1840's near Son's Chapel and the Oxford Bend Community. Callie was born in 1839 when Sultana was sixteen. In 1852 Sultana died and in 1854 Albert married Elizabeth McRoy. Albert G. a farmer and landowner was the first postmaster of Shiloh (later Springdale) of the Lynch's Prairie Post Office which was established in 1859 to receive the mail from the Butterfield Overland Stage. The Butterfield Overland Route was discontinued with the start of the civil war in 1861, and the post office was discontinued in 1866. According to the Prisoner -of -War Diary (1863) of Evan Atwood, Albert G. Gregg was killed by bushwhackers. The difficult time that Callie had during the civil war is an untold story. Callie was in her early twenties when she, her two children, and two step children were relocated to Missouri. During this exodus period her father was killed; her husband was away in the Army; and in 1863 they buried two newborn infants. The Henson family history in Flashback April 1960 relates that after the Civil War in the spring of 1865, Andy and Callie were returning to AR on Old Missouri Road. As they passed a farm at the north east end of what is now Lake Fayetteville Callie said, "I want this farm! I want to live here." The Henson's bought the farm in 1871 and over the years added land so that by the time Andy died in 1885, the farm was 1,700 acres in size. Andy was known as a good business man who traded livestock and land. Of the fourteen babies that were born to Callie, six children died while newborns or infants. When two of Callie's children married Sanders, the Sanders became relatives. Callie lived on the farm on Old Missouri Road with Solon and his wife (Naomi Sanders) until her death in 1927. Her son, Solon G., bought the farm from the family members in 1922 and sold it in 1948. In 2009 the Fayetteville Natural Heritage Association and the Fayetteville Parks and Recreation Department began a multiple year program to restore 27 acres of the Henson Farm to upland prairie by removing invasive plants, controlled burning, natural regeneration and supplementary seeding. This prairie restoration area was purchased by the City of Fayetteville in 1949 as part of the Lake Fayetteville water supply project. At that time this 27 acres of the Henson Farm, used primarily for pasture, had been in the ownership of the Henson family for 77 years. Callie Henson will be remembered as the young women who in the spring of 1865 fell in love with Clear Creek, it's spring, and the beautiful grasslands. We wish to honor this memory by naming it CALLIE'S PRAIRIE. July 2, 2012/JW 1 'Callie Henson' Sarah Caroline 'Callie' GREGG Henson Born: 16 October 1839 Washington County, Arkansas Died: 7 May 1927 Washington County, Arkansas (87 years old) Buried: Son's Chapel Cemetery, near Oxford Bend Community, Washington County Parents: Albert G. Gregg Born: 27 Feb 1817 Lawrence County, Alabama Died: June 1863 1St m. Sultana Jane BARR Born: March 1823 Alabama Died: 8 May 1852 Washington County, Arkansas First child born was Sarah Caroline when Sultana was 16 years old. Sultana died after the birth of her fifth child. Spouse: Thomas Andrew 'Andy' Henson Born: 9 Jul 1832 Bledsoe County, TN Died: 1 Oct 1885 Washington County, AR; Buried Son's Chapel Cemetery Parents: Jonathan Henson Born: Sequatchie Valley Bledsoe County TN Died:?1842 m. Lydia JONES Born: TN Died: ?1842 Thomas Henson 1st m. in 1852 Louiza Maria KENNAN Born: 11 April 1831 Columbia, Missouri Died: 3 January 1857 Washington County, AR; Buried Son's Chapel Cemetery They lived on farm 4 miles east of Fayetteville, AR Children of Thomas and Louiza: Alexander Byrd Born: 1854 Washington County, AR Died: Feb 1932 Washington County, AR Laura Louise Born: 1856 Washington County, AR Died: 2nd m. in Sept 1857 Sarah Caroline GREGG (See above for birth and death dates) Children of Thomas Andrew 'Andy' and Sarah Caroline 'Callie': Ezekiel b.18 Jul 1858 d. 12 Jan 186? William A. b. 1861 d. after 1927, California James A. b. 21 Jan. 1864 d. 18 August 1888 m. Martha 2 infants b. & d. 1863, Cemetery Son's Chapel Jonathan F. b. 1866 d. after Nov. 1958, Nickerson, KA Elizabeth E. b.18 Feb 1869 d. 30 Nov 1869, Cemetery Son's Chapel Eddie A. b. Il Oct 1870 d. 8 Mar 1872, Cemetery Son's Chapel Lydia A. b. 1871 d. _ m. Butcher Walnut Grove, MO Charles H. b. 1874 d. after Nov. 1958, Springdale, AR m. Mary E. Serenie C. b. 3 Mar 1877 d. 19 Jan 1878, Cemetery Son's Chapel Solon C. b. 1877 d. Nov. 1958 m. Naomi Sanders Nov. 5,1898 Springdale, AR Lillie A. b. 1880 d. m. Robert Bredding 1901 Billings, Montana Minnie M. b. 1883 d. in Montana m. Claude Sanders Billings, Montana When first married, Andy and Callie lived on the farm 4 miles east of Fayetteville. After 1865 they lived on a farm on Old Missouri Road near Clear Creek. References included: Henson Family history in the book - Washington County History, 1850 census for Prairie Township, 1880 census for Springdale Township, 1900 census, Flashback Feb. 1985 p. 14&15, Helen Henson, Son's Chapel Cemetery records, Solon C. Henson's obituary in 1958. t.1 . .4 joinakerki .�M .a I r ANDREW AVE 1 ktfi 7 11 r _ f • ;, LAKE RD 1 i " IAck [ Lake Fayetteville Prairie Renovation Area 0 125 250 t 500 750 1,000 Feet