1998, Crepe myrtles grace main avenue downtown, Michelle Price, Nov. 12, No. 1
NORTHPORT- Downtown Northport has rolled out the red carpet, so to speak, except that it will take the form of pink and white crepe myrtle tree blossoms.
Driving down Main Avenue this spring, you will be greeted by the pink and white flowers of crepe myrtle trees lining the road.
Downtown Northport’s most recent beautification effort is the addition of the historical marker in front of Shirley Place and the Shirley Crepe Myrtle Trees planted along Main Ave. from 5th Street to 9th Street.
Shirley family members have lived in the Northport area for more than 150 years with the first Shirley migrating to the area in 1829.
The Shirley Place historical marker was paid for by private funds of Marvin Harper, a Shirley descendant. Friends and members of the Shirley family donated the crepe myrtle trees in honor and memory of Shirley descendants.
Each tree is accompanied by a stone marker engraved with the name of the Shirley family member it honors.
The first tree, starting at 5th Street, honors Elizabeth Shirley, the matriarch of the family. Her tree is followed by the trees of her three sons and later generations as you move north on Main Avenue.
The Shirley family made the decision to plant crepe myrtles because of the tree’s beauty in all seasons.
The tree is typical of the old South, has an attractive trunk and blooms in the spring and summer. All of these qualities made it the perfect choice to line historic downtown avenue, according to Marvin Harper, Chairman of Friends of Historic Northport.
A ceremony was held at Shirley Place, 512 Main Ave., last month to dedicate the trees and the historical marker to the City of Northport.
Friends of Historic Northport, along with the City of Northport, will assist in watering and maintaining the trees.
The ceremony included speakers from the community and the Shirley Family. Mayor Wayne Rose unveiled the historical marker which details information about Shirley Place and its past residents.
Shirley Place was built in 1838 by James Shirley who was a developer and surveyor for early Northport and operated a brick kiln.
Marvin Harper now lives at Shirley Place and has donated the house to the City of Northport. Harper has been the town historian for three years and is frequently referred to as “Mr. Northport.”
Tree program was started by the Joseph Shirley Family Reunion in 1997 and has grown to include other Shirley descendants. All Shirley descendants are encouraged to participate in the tree program and may contact Mr. Harper at 349-1617 for more information.
The Shirley family tree program would like to extend the crepe myrtle trees further north on Main Ave. and later, west on 5th Street. Planning for next year will begin in January or February.