The Four Flags Garden Club of Niles is dedicating its John Gipner Grave Site Garden at Silverbrook Cemetery, 1400 East Main St., on Saturday, May 29 beginning at 1 p.m.

Shortly before the Chicago World’s Fair of 1893, the Michigan Central Railroad (MCRR) built an impressive new train depot in Niles. They wanted passengers to have a lasting impression of the MCRR on their way to the fair. MCRR also hired John Gipner, a master gardener, to create beautiful gardens around the depot. He surely exceeded their expectations, as the park he created at the depot became famous. It has been said that he “put Niles on the map” and is responsible for one of the city nicknames, “The Garden City.”

After Gipner died in 1957 the gardens fell on hard times. In the early 1970s, after Amtrak took ownership, a local railroad buff, Ray Suabadissen began restoring the grounds.  In 1975 the Four Flags Garden Club adopted the Niles Depot gardens as a civic project. Last year the Friends of Silverbrook Cemetery alerted the club that “Old John” Gipner was buried in nearby Silverbrook Cemetery and asked if the club would help beautify it as a part of their ongoing project to preserve and restore the cemetery.

Work on the grave site was completed in June 2009.  In the process of researching the Gipner family to obtain approval for the restoration, contact was made via the Internet with family descendants, who will be flying in from California to attend the ceremony.  Many others who contributed to the creation of this garden will be in attendance as well.
Elaine Metzger, president of the Four Flags Garden Club, whose foresight and determination helped make this happen, will be the mistress of ceremonies. Comments will be given by guest dignitaries: Robert Durm, mayor pro-tem; Tim and Candace Skalla, Friends of Silverbrook Cemetery; and Gerhard Gipner, relative of John Gipner. The Rev. Fran Lane-Lawrence of Gipner’s church, First Presbyterian, and Amtrak officials will also participate in the celebration.

Following the dedication a light reception will be held at the Niles Amtrak Depot, 600 Dey St., where a photo tribute to Gipner will be unveiled, the re-creation of Gipner’s famous Niles garden will be on display, and a slide show of the historic depot gardens will be available. The public is invited to attend. RSVP at (269) 684-2022.
For questions, call the office at (269) 687-4332 or e-mail niles mainstreet@nilesmainstreet.org.