By RICK MILLER
Olean Star
OLEAN — The tree in Lincoln Park planted 118 years ago by President Teddy Roosevelt and New York Gov. Frank W. Higgins is dying.
The Olean Historical and Preservation Society is hoping part of the tree can continue as a monument to Roosevelt, the 26th U.S. president, and Olean’s only citizen ever elected governor.
Roosevelt and Higgins were good friends and the president stayed at the former Higgins Mansion that once stood at the corner of South Street and South Barry Street. The tree was planted in 2006.
Historical Society President Steve Teachman outlined plans to create a monument from the tree to the Olean Common Council Tuesday.
With the city’s permission, he said National Grid had agreed to remove the tree — all but about 10 feet — which local sculptor Eric Jones will use to create a natural looking monument.
“When I heard the tree was dying, I asked what we could do to save it,” Teachman told aldermen.
He turned to Jones, an Olean native and admirer of Roosevelt, to see how to preserve part of the tree.
Jones presented the Historical Society with a sketch of his proposal that shows a 10-foot tall wooden monument topped by a small red roof. It bears the images of Roosevelt and Higgins.
The oak tree was preserved when the farmers market facility was built in Lincoln Park by building around it. Some speculate that may have hastened the tree’s demise.
“National Grid says it’s a hazard and needs to come down,” Teachman said in an interview with the Olean Star Thursday.
Teachman said he was asking the city for permission to take down the tree and allow Jones to create the monument. The bark would be removed from the remaining 10-foot section of the tree and it would be coated with shellac to preserve the wood.
Teachman has also begun speaking to local groups about the Historical Society’s plans. The response so far has been encouraging, he said.Historical Society would also like a section or two to display in its nearby Gov. Higgins Carriage House.
Some people have suggested saving sections of the tree to make wooden benches for the park, Teachman said. The
Teachman told the aldermen that he would also be looking for a contribution from the city toward the $12,000 cost of turning the tree into a monument. It will be a tourist attraction — both when Jones is sculpting the tree and when it is completed, he said.
“I think a lot of people will be interested in coming and watching while Eric is working on the monument,” Teachman said. “I think it’s a great plan. “It will create a fun time for people.”
Once the city gives its approval, Teachman said he would also go to the Cattaraugus County Legislature to ask for a donation from the county toward the cost of the monument. Teachman is a county legislator representing the city and surrounding towns, and is a former alderman.
Teachman said the Historical Society hasn’t started a formal fundraising program for the monument yet. Those wishing to make donations can contact him at (716) 307-6297.
Teachman also said he has contacted the Pomeroy Foundation for a grant to place a red and gray historical marker at the site.
