“Hey, look up there.” What do you think of the steel trees with animal sculptures? This is the Magnolia Gateway Sculpture.
Standing here, it’s hard not to be drawn into the story of Pathways Park. It opened in June 2024. The renovated public park carries on the memory of Eli. Eli showed everyone the importance of accessibility and inclusivity. Pathways Park features accessible play equipment. It also provides spaces for all ages and abilities.
Kristi Lin and Kate Clark conceptualized the Magnolia Gateway Sculpture. They also fabricated it. They installed it.
The sculpture is based on the Pileated Woodpecker. The artists believed the bird creates affordable housing and community. Pecking holes into trees, the woodpecker excavates cavities. These cavities house a diverse community of squirrels, owls, birds, and insects.
The Magnolia Gateway Sculpture stands at the entrance to Pathways Park. The steel trees with animal sculptures remind us of the woodpecker community builders.
The artists used steel tubes and bronze animal sculptures to build this.
The Magnolia Historical Society dedicated to documenting Magnolia’s history. It researched and published Magnolia: Memories and Milestones in 2000. A follow-up volume was released in 2007. It is called Magnolia: Making More Memories. The Society incorporated in 2001.
The collection consists largely of images of Magnolia events. Ken Baxter took most of them between 1963 and 1971. He submitted most of them to the local newspaper. It was called the Magnolia News. These include images of Magnolia residents at local events. There are also Magnolia buildings. You can find other Magnolia locations. These include West Point Beach and Fort Lawton. In addition to sports, there are recreational events. There are holiday activities. You can see civic, business, and religious events. Baxter photographed local businesspeople. He captured automobile accidents in Magnolia. He showed earthquake damage to local businesses. Baxter photographed the annual Aloha Days parade. The Magnolia children’s parade took place every summer. It was during the Seattle SEAFAIR festival.
A smaller number of images depict Washington State businesses. One was the Ed Chabot cranberry farm in Long Beach. Another was the Rogers Candy Company in Seattle.
Monica Wooton took most of the modern images. They include individuals and group events. You can see local buildings, landmarks, and scenic landscapes. Several Magnolia area landmarks are depicted. The Hiram M. Chittenden Locks are shown. There is the West Point Lighthouse. The Children’s Convalescent Home is featured. You can see the U.S. Army base at Fort Lawton. It is now part of Discovery Park.
In January 1967, Lawton School principal Lloyd Tremain stood at a blackboard. A sculpture by Ebba Rapp was in the Magnolia Branch library.
Imagine the Aloha Days parades. People wore leis. Women were in kimono-style jackets holding signs. These are some of the countless memories captured around Magnolia. They are a part of the tapestry of this community.
As you leave Pathways Park, remember Eli. Think of the woodpeckers. Consider the community they build. Take with you the lessons of accessibility and inclusivity. Let the Magnolia Gateway Sculpture remind you of the power of community.