The Loss of an Icon

Over 3,000 Sparta students, parents, chaperones, and teachers who ever went on Mr. Larry Carter’s 5^th grade Sparta Historical Tour can mourn together for the loss of a Sparta icon.  The “Catalpa Tree”, known to many Sparta residents and students, sat in the back yard of a home on West Division until late Sunday evening August 9^th, 2009, when major wind gusts finally brought the old tree down. The Catalpa Tree was nationally recognized as the largest Catalpa tree in the United States.  The plaque, which was salvaged off the tree after the storm, stated: “This Tree is A Champ!  It has won the distinction of being accepted as a national champion, which means it is the largest Catalpa Tree known in the United States” according to the Michigan Botanical Club and the American Forestry Association from Washington D.C.  The plaque was dedicated on April 13, 1960 and sat affixed to the tree for the past 49 years.  Sadly, the Fifth Grade Sparta Historical Tour, which students participate in each spring, will no longer be stopping at the Catalpa Tree.  “We will miss the Catalpa Tree on the History Tour,” says Larry Carter, 5^th grade teacher at Sparta Middle School.  Larry said that they knew it would be coming down eventually, due to age, but it was still a sad day in Sparta history to see an end to the historic icon.  “I’ll miss showing it to them,” Larry reflects.  “We don’t have many historic “national champs” in town, and it was a great part of the History Tour. ”

For more information about the Sparta Township Historic Commission, please contact them at (616) 887-8863 or by calling Chairperson Martin ‘Bud’ Pulsifer at (616) 887-1566.