Jack and Eileen Routson, April 2003

by Martin Gwynn

Jack and Eileen Routson are long-time members of the Laramie Garden Club.  Eileen joined the club in 1962, two years after the club began.  Jack joined several years later.

     Eileen was president of the club during the years 1968, 1969, 1970, and Jack was president of the club in 1980, 1981, 1982, 1999, and 2000.  They have been very involved every year in the many community improvement and beautification projects throughout Laramie.

     Up until recently the Routsons were in charge of the annual plant sale for almost 40 years.  They still play a major role in providing plants for this sale every year.

     Jack and Eileen maintain an extensive vegetable garden as well as beautiful flowers and shrubs throughout their property, as seen below.

     In a recent interview, Jack and Eileen spoke about the current status of the club.

     The Routsons shared some history and their memories of the flower show, which is held every year.

     The first show was held at the old 1st National Bank building in June 1961.  The cosponsoring lumber company sent carpenters at noon as soon as the bank closed, and they started assembling the shelving.  There were 63 exhibitors for this first show.  The sale was moved downstairs the following year.

     From 1967 to 1979 the show was held in basement of the Moose Hall.  One year it was held at St. Matthews Cathedral because there was a wedding at the Moose Hall.

     In 1984 there were 246 exhibitors, compared to 63 in 1961.

     It was only cancelled one year, in 1978, due to a devastating hail storm.  All of the plants in the community had been shredded by the hail.

     The flower show is currently held at the Albany County Library.

     Find out about some of the community projects sponsored by the Laramie Garden Club, as well as the annual plant sale.

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