Loyal and Nancy Rohrbaugh planted five star magnolias at their York home in 1970, and every spring since the trees have put on a lovely show at Parkway Blvd. and Pennsylvania Avenue.
Loyal, a former history teacher, will tell a story to everyone who visits, including his favorite about David Holmes and his ties to York and the magnolia trees.
Born near Hanover, York County, in 1769, Holmes moved to Virginia and was serving in congress when appointed by president Thomas Jefferson as governor of the Mississippi Territory in 1809. When Mississippi became a state in 1817, he became its first governor. He was appointed to the U.S. senate after not seeking reelection, but campaigned for governor again in 1825 and won.
He returned to Virginia after his last term in 1826, and died six years later. Holmes County, in the center of Mississippi, is named for the York County native. The county's slogan is "There's no place like Holmes", and according to the website is where 4-H clubs began as a local community corn club. The Masonic Order of the Eastern Star also began here.
And how does all this come back around to Rohrbaugh? Magnolias are also the state tree and flower of Mississippi. Technically, the state's flower and tree is the southern magnolia, which don't grow well this far north. Rohrbaugh owns star magnolias.
As Jim McClure's blog York Town Square will show you, ties to York County are everywhere.
Tree and moon photo-- 80-200mm lens, 1/60 second at f22.
Close up -- 105 macro lens, 1/320 second at f32, with ring flash for fill.
Trees-- 17-55mm lens, 1/80 second at f22.
I've only met Loyal once, very nice person who keeps a very nice yard. I wish other neighbors along Penn Ave. put forth half the effort this man twice their age does!
Wonderful images, I especially like the macro shot, a lens I do not have in my arsenal. Always looking forward to the next entry.
thanks, chief! That macro lens is probably as old as you. It's used only occasionally, but it's handy. Been using the extension rings on the wide angle a lot lately.