~ Evergreen Cemetery, located in the heart of the city, has a rich history that dates back to the early 1900s. It was once known as the largest outdoor rose garden in the world and was even featured in Ripley's Believe It or Not. The cemetery grounds were adorned with over 1,000 rose bushes, many of which were classified as Old Garden Roses (OGRs) - varieties that predate 1867.

These OGR roses can be easily identified by their unique thorn patterns, with closely spaced thorns along their stems. Among the various OGR varieties found at Evergreen Cemetery, one holds significant historical value - Harrison's Yellow. This particular rose has a fascinating origin story that dates back to 1824 when New York attorney George Folliott Harison cultivated the first yellow rose bred in the United States. Later on, William Prince of Long Island took cuttings from Harison's rose and began marketing it in the mid-1830s, making it widely available. Over time, this rose became known as the "Yellow Rose of Texas" and the "Oregon Trail Rose," as pioneer women often carried it west during migration.

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Initially, these roses were planted and meticulously maintained by families whose loved ones were buried at Evergreen and Fairview Cemeteries. However, as generations passed and families moved away, there was no one left to care for these beautiful flowers. With the cemetery grounds becoming increasingly difficult to maintain, more than 800 rose trellises were removed in the 1970s. Due to a policy that considers these roses personal property, they were not maintained by cemetery staff - a policy that is still in place today.

Today, only a handful of these historic roses remain at Evergreen Cemetery. However, thanks to the efforts of Evergreen Heritage - an organization dedicated to preserving and caring for these living artifacts - over 185 remaining rose bushes were cataloged last summer between Evergreen and Fairview Cemeteries. This summer, a small group of volunteers is continuing the work of pruning and maintaining these roses. The organization is also seeking more volunteers to help care for these living pieces of the city's history.

It is important to note that according to city ordinance, no new rose bushes or other perennials can be planted in either city cemetery, and new trellises are not allowed. To learn more about the history of Harrison's Yellow Rose and other OGR varieties found at Evergreen Cemetery, interested individuals can refer to the article "Between the Rows: The History of Harison's Yellow Rose."

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