Rose Hill: Manito Park Tour
Text
When Francis Cook bought the land that would become Manito Park, he named it Montrose Park for its incredible selection of wild roses. Before Rose Hill was created, the area you are looking at was a spring fed pond where the elk and deer lived during the zoo years from 1905 to 1932.
As a prank, kids would take goldfish from the pond and put them in the fountain in the Sunken Gardens, now known as the Duncan Gardens. Speaking of Duncan, John W. Duncan designed the first plans for a rose garden in 1941, which included both roses that were native to the area and hybrids. In 1948, the Rose Society proposed a different type of rose garden that would include a test garden and memorial roses. Work began in June 1950 with grading, soil preparation, and a sprinkler system.
In 1951, the American Rose Society chose Spokane to be one of 90 test gardens in the United States. Families, in memory of their loved ones donate memorial roses to the Park. This Rose Garden has one several awards.
The Dahlia Society trial garden shares space on Rose Hill near the old-fashioned rose garden on the west side of the hill. This trial garden is one of only 8 such gardens in the United States and Canada.
Files
The Rose Garden
Today, the rose garden is known for its beauty, variety and fragrance. It is a popular stop among park visitors Image courtesy of Flickr user speedygroundhog under a Creative Commons License
Elk Pond, c. 1915
Postcard image courtesy of Cousin Sam Blog
Rose Garden
Stunning rose arches that once graced the paths of Manito Park Glass plate negatives from the Spokane Parks and Recreation Department, accessed through Tony and Suzanne Bamonte, Spokane, WA.
John W. Duncan Plans for Rose Garden
Here you can see a detailed outline for the garden's layout. Image from Spokesman Review taken by Tracy L. Rebstock, from VF - Spokane Parks - Manito, Northwest Room, Spokane Public Library, Spokane, WA | Source: VF - Spokane Parks Manito, Northwest Room, Spokane Public Library, Spokane, WA
Rose Hill Pergola
Today the pergola is an attractive feature of the garden and is the site for many weddings in the park. Image from the Tony and Suzanne Bamonte Collection, Spokane, WA.
Elk Pond - Zoo Years 1905-1932
Before the garden big game could often be seen grazing in the park's pond. Image from the glass negatives Balzer collection accessed through Tony and Suzanne Bamonte, Spokane, WA.
Dahlia Test Garden
In addition to roses, the garden features a test garden of dhalias, which bloom in late summer. Image taken by Tracy L. Rebstock August 2009 | Source: Tracy Rebstock, Personal Photo, 2009