A Look Back at JABG's Rich History With Lad Hawkins
- Grace Stallone
The Jacksonville Arboretum & Botanical Gardens (JABG) is a beloved natural oasis in our city, but how did it all begin? Recently, we sat down with Lad Hawkins, one of the original founders, to delve into JABG’s rich history.
Lad's connection to the land predates the Arboretum itself. Living adjacent to the property for over 50 years, he witnessed its transformation from a mining site to a haven for nature lovers. "I was very familiar with it," Lad recalls, "and that's how I really got involved in making sure that it stayed something nice."
The story begins in the 1940s and 50s with mining operations by the Humphries Gold Corp Mine that left a unique mark on the landscape. While much of the area remained undisturbed, the ravine and lake were created during this period. "They dug out the ravine that goes down to the lower ravine there and then they dug out this lake," Lad explains, the result of a centrifugal mining process that unearthed materials used to create titanium.
In 1972, the city received a grant to build the Arlington East sewage treatment plant. The Arboretum's current parking lot served as a laydown area during construction, a stark contrast to its present state. "That lot was full of refrigerators and cars and all kinds of stuff," Lad remembers. "They took all that stuff and took it over in the woods and buried it."
The seeds of the Arboretum were sown in 2002 when Lad, then a member of the Greater Arlington Civic Council, spoke with Dr. Judy Stevens, the council's president and another Arboretum founder, about the land being transformed into a botanical garden. Lad explained that the city was happy to let JABG run the park as a 501(c)3, as it would have been a lot for the city to take on.
For three years, volunteers worked tirelessly to clean up the site, removing car bodies and debris. In 2005, the lease was finally signed, and in 2007, a soft opening was held. The Arboretum officially opened to the public in 2008, with Lad's wife, Mindy, serving as the membership chair.
Lad's contributions extend beyond the initial cleanup. He assisted with designing and building the trails, bridges, and the original Loblolly boardwalk, a project funded by his mother. He also envisioned and built the overlook points around the lake.
Lad's insights offer a fascinating glimpse into the Arboretum's past. As we continue to grow and evolve, we are grateful for the vision and dedication of pioneers like Lad Hawkins, who helped transform a neglected piece of land into a treasured community asset.
Photo by Mark Woods