Visiting the oldest palm tree in Phoenix in 1899


I like palm trees. To me, they have always represented paradise, wonderful places that seem to only exist in dreams. The very first thing I did when I arrived in Phoenix, at age 19, moving from Minneapolis, was to stop and touch a palm tree. I'd seen pictures of them, I'd seen them in movies and on TV, but seeing one in real life was absolutely astonishing. I still love them, and to this day they remind me that I live in an amazing place.

If that's not you, if you scoff at something that exists purely for beauty, like a rose, I guess I understand. But I feel so sorry for you, because your practical world sees no benefit, nothing tangible. So if you're too busy today to go visit the oldest palm tree in Phoenix in 1899, I suppose there's nothing I can say to change your mind. I wish you would, because I'm going over there right now. Walk with me.

The palm tree is on the property of Clara Evans, 234 W. Monroe, which is between 2nd Avenue and 3rd Avenue on Monroe.

That's Clara there on the left. The photo was published in 1899, so I've using that date, but it must have been before that (it took a while to publish books in those days). She got the tree from A.D. Lemon, who brought it back from the Sandwich Islands (which had been renamed Hawaii in 1819) in 1879. Looks like it took a long time for people to get used the new name!

I don't have an exact date for the photo on the right, except that it's later, because the tree is taller and the 1st Methodist Church is there, which was on 2nd Avenue. You're looking due east, by the way.

A.D. Lemon in 1884

Palm trees have always been a symbol of life in the desert. They point to an oasis, which is what Phoenix was, and is. It's brutally hot, but there's always been a steady supply of water, which supplies necessities like most of the other trees and plants in Phoenix. But Clara, like many women, and even some men, didn't want to live without beauty. She planted the palm tree, and cared for it.
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