1930's
Throughout the 1930's, signs were the name of the game. The club was instrumental in installing street signs throughout the city. The signs were made by Folsom prisoners. Later AAA took over installing signs and county took over maintenance.
1940's
Throughout the 1940's, the club continuted to be active in the community.It was instrumental in having Folsom's Historical Area designated a bird sanctuary. Hundreds of Toyon bushes were gathered and planted all over the town. During these War Years, the club used their love of gardening and garden parties to raise money for the Red Cross.
1950's
Throughout the 1950's, flowers were the main attraction.Poppies & Lupin were planted at the site of the Folsom Dam when it opened in 1951. Garbage cans throughout the city were painted with flowers.
1960's -1980's
Established the park at Sutter Street near the RR tracks, known as the Triangle.Established the park at the intersection of Sibley and Natoma.Planted flowers and trees in Folsom Parks and Schools.Worked closely with Folsom youth: Boyscouts, Campfire Girls, 4-H.
1990's
For Folsom's Centennial Celebration in 1996, members landscaped the area in front of the Civic Center where the time capsule was placed. In 1997 the club became involved in maintaining the gardens of the Murer House. In 1997 the club adopted the Life Laboratory at Carl Sundahl Elementary School so that children could be taught how to garden.
21st Century
2001 The annual “Springtime in the Gardens,” tour of private Folsom gardens was first offered in the spring. The tour continues with many gardeners from far and near attending yearly. Each year six gardens are selected presenting a range of garden styles and sizes. The tour offers a wide range of gardens from the grand large professionally landscaped gardens, home owner landscaped gardens in the historic district that include vegetable gardens and small garden in the newer sections of Folsom that require a bit more imagination to use space effectively. Tour proceeds are used for scholarships and community projects.
2003 With the success of the garden tour the club voted to award two scholarships to students studying the field of horticulture. In 2003 two students were awarded one thousand dollar scholarships to encourage their study of plants and gardening.
2006 The club was awarded a grant from the National Garden Clubs, Inc. to renovate our Folsom Garden Club Park. With the money from the grant and the club’s matching funds, we gardeners painted the Blue Star Memorial, installed a place name sign honoring our club and planted a bed of star jasmine on the street side of the memorial plaque.
The club joined the twenty-first century with the launching of our website, www.folsomgarden.org. The web site presented our club to the world. Our site is also listed on the Folsom City web site and the California Garden Clubs, statewide site. We instituted an e-mail address to post our monthly Newsletter and communicate any updates to our calendar.
On April 30, 2006 the club honored Gladys Trejo’s ninetieth birthday by planting a Deodora Cedar, in the Garden Club Park. Gladys, a garden club member for over sixty years, provides the property for our community garden. She is an honorary life member of the garden club.
2009 Two concrete memorial benches donated in 2002 were transported from the Murer House to the Garden Club Park. A 75th Anniversary Arbor was installed and planted with climbing roses at the park side of the memorial rose garden as well. The Folsom mayor and other dignitaries officially recognized the work of the club to promote gardening and beautify our town.
Thank You Marlene Knott for all of your research that makes this historical account possible. Thank you Barbara Peterson for the update to bring our history into the 21st century.
