Greene Square Park, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Image at entrance to Park by D L Hansen
George Greene born April 15, 1817 in Alton, Staffordshire, England was a lawyer, justice of the Iowa Supreme Court, and one of the founders of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He moved to Marion, Iowa, and began practicing law. He began living in Cedar Rapids in 1851. He also contributed to the financial development of the city. During the Panic of 1857 he was connected with the management of nine banks in the city. Greene founded the Grace Episcopal Church. He served as president of the board of trustees of Coe Collegiate Institute, which was later renamed Coe College. He passed in Cedar Rapids on June 23, 1880.
Cedar Rapids’ first municipal Christmas tree was erected in Greene Square in 1913. It was donated by the city. Decorating it was a community effort and it was so well received, the tree above was set up in the square in 1914.
Following is an article that ran Dec. 23, 1914:
MUNICIPAL TREE ALL LIGHTED UP
IT’S READY FOR CHRISTMAS
Everything Set for Big
Event for the Little
Folk Tomorrow.
The lights are on and the municipal Christmas tree is a big. burning, illuminated fact, and it is a beauty. The work of wiring the tree was completed late Tuesday and the lights were turned on last night, and more eyes were directed toward Greene square than at any other time since last summer. Passengers on late trains gazed in wonderment at the magnificently lighted tree and many comments were made regarding the feature and the thoughtfulness on the part of the city in preparing something for the kiddies. The final decorations are being placed today. Scores of women spent the greater part of the day at the library filling the paper bags with candies and nuts and tomorrow night they will be hauled to the square in a big wagon, which will be decorated, and the presents will be given to the children as they pass over the platform. A band concert will enliven the evening. Members of the Musicians’ union have agreed to furnish the instrumenttal music and Prof. Jacob Schmidt will direct the concert. A.R. Wilgus of the Y. M. C. A., has agreed to permit the men’s chorus of the association to furnish the vocal music and they will sing the Christmas carols. The following program has been prepared: Selection by the band. “Holy Night,” sung’ by the Y. M. C. A. chorus. The audience is requested to join in the singing of this carol. Reading of the Lord’s prayer, which will be the only speaking of the evening. “From Lands Afar,” by the chorus. led by Mr. Wilgus. Band number. “Shine on Star,” by the chorus. First and last stanzas of “America” by the band, the chorus and the audience. Band number. Following the program the children will march across the platform where Santa Claus and the city officials will give them their gifts. The children are requested to gather at three places promptly at 7:45 p. m. tomorrow and march to Greene’s square. The children of the west side are expected to meet at the city hall. David W. King will be marshal of the west side division. The second division will meet at the Monroe school in South Third street. Howard Jeffrey will be marshal of the second division. The third division will meet at the First Christian church at Third avenue and Ninth street, and will be under
the direction of Charles Chesters, boys’ secretary of the Y. M. C. A. Mr. Chesters will have charge of the children at the square. The places where they are to gather will be warmed so parents need have no fear of the children becoming cold. The exercises begin at 8 p. m and will continue about an hour. The Christmas tree was decorated under the supervision of C. E. Wilson, display manager of the Killian company. He has arranged a system of daylight lighting that is superb. The current for the lighting was furnished by Colonel Dows of the Iowa Railway and Light company, and the members of Electrical Workers’ union No. 405 did the wiring free of charge. The city extends an invitation to The general public to attend the exercises and see the prettiest municipal Christmas tree in America. This article is from the Archive Attic.