Object Record
Images
Metadata
Object Name |
Plaque |
Collection |
Metro Parks Tacoma - Permanent Collection |
Date |
1915 |
Description |
Captain. Charles Wilkes is credited with naming Point Defiance during his survey mission of 1841. Seventy-four years later, the local Mary Ball Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) placed a bronze marker on a stone, commemorating the event in Point Defiance Park. The DAR organization helped install and create many historical markers and monuments. This one, designed by sculptor Victor Alonzo Lewis, was dedicated and unveiled on September 15, 1915. Not only does the plaque celebrate the early explorations of Charles Wilkes, it describes the creation of the park itself: "Capt. Charles Wilkes commanding a United States exploring expedition visited this vicinity in 1841 and left the names Point Defiance, Neill Point, Commencement Bay, Maury Island, Robinson's Point, Colvos Passage, Gig Harbor and Fox Island. The recommendation in 1855 and later of United States military officers Stoneman, Harney, Casey, Wright and others led the federal government to reserve land at Point Defiance for military purposes. Francis W. Cushman in 1905 aided by other representatives from the state of Washington, secured a gift of the land to the city of Tacoma for a city park. In commemoration of these events and in honor of these men, this tablet has been erected and presented to the park board September 25, 1915, by Mary Ball chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution. 'Nothing can exceed the beauty of these waters and their safety. I venture nothing in saying that there is no country in the world that possesses waters equal to these' - Capt. Charles Wilkes" Although some Tacomans felt the plaque laid too much credit at the feet of one man, Francis Cushman, for the creation of the park, overall it was well received. According to one contemporary source, it was installed at a point near the purported landing site of Captain Wilkes' men, although the exact point of landfall is unknown. The plaque, mounted on a granite boulder, today rests near its original dedication site, adjacent to the tennis courts and opposite the Japanese Garden. |
Location |
Point Defiance Park |
Object Number |
PDP-009 |
Creator |
Victor Alonzo Lewis |
Web link |
Metro Parks Tacoma, Point Defiance Park |