Parks and Recreation Department Collection
Collection
Identifier: MA 2018.012
Scope and Content
This collection contains documents and records, correspondence, photographs and maps that were created and/or collected by the Parks and Recreation Department of the City of Denton, TX.
The collection arrived in good condition and was arranged chronologically by the transferring department prior receipt at the archives, thus original order was established and maintained. The archivist identified two series, Cemetery Records and Photographic Materials.
Series I. Cemetery Records, consists of the Sexton's records for both the Oakwood Cemetery and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows' (I.O.O.F.) Cemetery and an index compiled at a later date of the I.O.O.F. burial records. There is also half a map to the Oakwood Cemetery.
Series II. Photographic Materials, consists of photographs of Parks and Recreation Department personnel and events including the annual Parks Rodeo and various landscaping efforts.
The collection arrived in good condition and was arranged chronologically by the transferring department prior receipt at the archives, thus original order was established and maintained. The archivist identified two series, Cemetery Records and Photographic Materials.
Series I. Cemetery Records, consists of the Sexton's records for both the Oakwood Cemetery and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows' (I.O.O.F.) Cemetery and an index compiled at a later date of the I.O.O.F. burial records. There is also half a map to the Oakwood Cemetery.
Series II. Photographic Materials, consists of photographs of Parks and Recreation Department personnel and events including the annual Parks Rodeo and various landscaping efforts.
Dates
- 1876 - 2006
Creator
- Parks and Recreation Department (Denton, Tex) (Creator, Organization)
Language of Materials
Collection is in english.
Access Restrictions
Materials in this collection are open for research.
Literary Rights Statement
Permission to publish material from this collection in any form, current or future, must be obtained from the Special Collections Department of the Denton Public Library.
Historical Sketch
In 1909 the Denton Chamber of Commerce established a park committee to investigate the value added by city parks in preparation of establishing the first city park in Denton. 1912 saw the creation of the first official Park Board which was subsequently written into every new City Charter until 1959 in which Section 5.05 created the Parks and Recreation Department. This charter established the department's responsibility for the supervision of maintenance and equipment of parks, playgrounds, athletic fields, swimming pools, recreation centers and buildings and facilities controlled by the City of Denton.
There are two city owned cemeteries in Denton. Oakwood Cemetery was officially named in 1931, but was created as soon as Denton was established as the new seat of government for the county in 1857. The I.O.O.F. Cemetery was established in 1859, the same year Denton Lodge #82 of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows was chartered. The cemetery served as the main burial site for the city and was eventually deeded to the City of Denton in 1933. The Parks and Recreation Department now manages the records and maintenance of those sites.
There are two city owned cemeteries in Denton. Oakwood Cemetery was officially named in 1931, but was created as soon as Denton was established as the new seat of government for the county in 1857. The I.O.O.F. Cemetery was established in 1859, the same year Denton Lodge #82 of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows was chartered. The cemetery served as the main burial site for the city and was eventually deeded to the City of Denton in 1933. The Parks and Recreation Department now manages the records and maintenance of those sites.
- Source
- Record and Chronicle, May 4, 1909.
- Source
- "The Local News In Brief," Record and Chronicle, November 23, 1912.
- Source
- United States. Texas. City of Denton. Charter of the City of Denton, Texas. Article V. 1919.
- Source
- United States. Texas. City of Denton. Revised Charter and Codification of Ordinances. Edited by Bruce Davis. 1941.
- Source
- United States. Texas. City of Denton. Code of Ordinances of the City of Denton, Texas. Edited by Lee E. Holt. 1959.
- Source
- "I.O.O.F. Cemetery," cityofdenton.com. https://www.cityofdenton.com/en-us/residents/parks-recreation/facilities/cemeteries/i-o-o-f-cemetery-(1)
- Source
- "Oakwood Cemetery," citofdenton.com. https://www.cityofdenton.com/en-us/residents/parks-recreation/facilities/cemeteries/oakwood-cemetery
Extent
2 Linear Feet (One manuscript box, three custom book boxes (13x17x2.5), one photograph box (5.75x7.75x5).)
Abstract
In 1909 the Denton Chamber of Commerce established a park committee to investigate value added by city parks in preparation of establishing the first city park for Denton. In 1912 the first official Park Board was established and subsequently written into the City Charter. The first modern City Charter for Denton was written in 1959 in which Section 5.05 created the Parks and Recreation Department.
Series Description
The Parks and Recreation Department Collection is currently arranged in two series:
Series I. Cemetery Records 1.53 linear ft. (one manuscript box, three custom boxes and one folder), 1876-1984.
Arranged chronologically.
Series II. Photographic Materials 0.46 linear ft. (one photograph box), 1998-2006.
Arranged alphabetically by title and thereunder chronologically.
Series I. Cemetery Records 1.53 linear ft. (one manuscript box, three custom boxes and one folder), 1876-1984.
Arranged chronologically.
Series II. Photographic Materials 0.46 linear ft. (one photograph box), 1998-2006.
Arranged alphabetically by title and thereunder chronologically.
Provenance Statement
Series I of the Parks and Recreation Department Collection was transferred to the Denton Municipal Archives, Special Collections, Denton Public Library by Teresa Abrams on 2018-11-02.
Series II of the Parks and Recreation Department Collection was transferred to the Denton Municiipal Archives, Special Collections, Denton Public Library by Jennifer Tyler on 2019-04-04.
Series II of the Parks and Recreation Department Collection was transferred to the Denton Municiipal Archives, Special Collections, Denton Public Library by Jennifer Tyler on 2019-04-04.
Note to the Researcher
The materials in this collection are generally in good condition with the exception being a map found torn in half within the pages of the Sexton's record book dated 1956. The map has been encapsulated and stored separately in an oversize box. There are three bound volumes of I.O.O.F. Cemetery Records that contained documents affixed to pages with tape. Where possible, these documents were removed and placed in a separate folder with notations as to which volume and page they were found in. Tissue paper was inserted between the pages that previously contained affixed documents so as to prevent damage to facing pages by adhesive remnants.
Material Removed List
0.63 linear ft. of folders, three-ring binder cover and large wooden shelf are being deaccessioned and discarded.
- Cemeteries--Texas--Denton County Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Denton Municipal Archives Subject Source: Local sources
- I.O.O.F. Cemetery (Denton, Tex) Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Oakwood Cemetery (Denton, Tex) Subject Source: Local sources
- Southwest Parks and Recreation Training Institute Subject Source: Local sources
- Texas Recreation and Park Society Subject Source: Local sources
Creator
- Parks and Recreation Department (Denton, Tex) (Creator, Organization)
- Title
- Guide to the Parks and Recreation Department Collection, 1876-2006
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Matthew Davis
- Date
- 2019-02-21
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English (Eng)
- Edition statement
- First revision by Matthew Davis, 2019-02-19. Second revision by Matthew Davis, 2019-04-04.
Repository Details
Part of the Denton Municipal Archives Repository
Contact:
Emily Fowler Central Library
502 Oakland St.
Denton TX 76201 USA
940-349-8782
matthew.davis@cityofdenton.com
Emily Fowler Central Library
502 Oakland St.
Denton TX 76201 USA
940-349-8782
matthew.davis@cityofdenton.com