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Description
In 1929 and 1930, Bogart devised a plan to recreate an authentic Japanese Cherry Blossom Festival. It would be an opportunity for people to see Beaumont and the cherry trees plus see authentic Japanese ceremonies and dancers. On the Japanese side, Ayaka Takahashi, the General Secretary for the Japanese Chamber of Commerce of Southern California, enthusiastically embraced the idea, saying that “many Japanese, to whom the cherry blossom festival is a fixed custom, often become homesick. A visit to the Beaumont orchards will help to bring back to them memories of their old home.” The first such festival occurred on March 30, 1930, when the city of Beaumont and the Beaumont Rotary Club hosted the first official Japanese Cherry Blossom Festival held in the United States. The Festival was a great success, due in large part to Bogart’s prowess for advertising plus his many connections throughout Southern California. However, few if any realized that it would turn out to be too much of a success. At a time when Beaumont’s population was 1,332, fully 32,000 people descended on the small town, overrunning its hotels, restaurants and other tourist amenities. Many people camped along the roads in and out of Beaumont, and still others commuted from neighboring towns. What was clear was that Bogart had hit upon a tremendous idea, but was quite unprepared for its success. Therefore, knowing that he would need a better facility than simply some vacant lots amongst the existing cherry orchards if the Cherry Blossom Festival was to continue, Bogart began considering a more suitable location for holding thousands of people. It didn’t take Bogart long to find what he was looking for. North of Beaumont, where Cherry Avenue meets Noble Creek, there was a natural amphitheater that was big enough for what he wanted. The area he found consisted of 200 acres owned by the Beaumont Irrigation District (precursor to today’s Beaumont/Cherry Valley Water District), and 80 acres that were for sale. The property was covered with Live Oaks and other trees, which made it a natural treasure. In addition, within the hilly area, there was a natural amphitheater that Bogart and others thought would be perfect for future Cherry Blossom Festivals. Bogart’s dream was to create a large county park on the land, opening the majority of it to picnickers and campers while planting the amphitheater in a Japanese style. To make these plans a reality, he and several other businessmen in Beaumont convinced the Beaumont Irrigation District to lease the 200 acres to the County for a park if the County would purchase the 80 acres, which were for sale for $2,500. Bogart approached the Board of Supervisors early in 1931, but at the depth of the Great Depression, the Board lacked the money to make the purchase. The Supervisors approved of the idea, though, and gave Bogart their word that once the money was available during the next year, they would purchase the land. Bogart, desperate for a location for the 1931 Cherry Blossom Festival, convinced 25 Beaumont businessmen to loan $100 each to purchase the land. The land was purchased, the lease was signed, and the second Cherry Blossom Festival was another great success. Once the Board purchased the land in the summer of 1931, plans were made to formally dedicate the new park. In the post-WWI era, many people formed peace societies and made efforts to educate others about different cultures in what became an international peace movement. Guy Bogart was a strong supporter of this attitude, and suggested that the new park be dedicated to international peace. The Beaumont Rotary Club enthusiastically embraced this ideal. Therefore, on October 18, 1931, the new park was dedicated as International Park. So how did International Park become Bogart Park? All things Japanese soon fell out of favor during the 1930s as Japan made continued incursions into China, culminating with World War II. After the war, the Cold War took over, and thoughts of international peace quickly declined. In 1957, the Board of Supervisors decided to rename the park to honor Dr. Guy Bogart who had done so much to make the park a reality. Few if any of the mementos of Bogart Park’s beginnings survive today - however, subsequent generations should be reminded of the civic pride that their predecessors once had.
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