Port Arthur continues celebrating 125 years of existence with 125 Square
Published 5:39 pm Tuesday, March 25, 2025
Those in attendance at the opening of 125 Square witness the unveiling of the commemorative plaque. (Cesar Cardenas/The News)
From left to right, Councilmember Donald Frank Sr., Tiffany Hamilton Everfield, Mayor Thurman Bartie, Willie Lewis Jr. and Harold Doucet Sr. pose for a photo with Bill the Tree. (Cesar Cardenas/The News)
City Council members took turns thanking the people who were able to put the anniversary ceremony together. (Cesar Cardenas/The News)
Those in attendance at the opening of 125 Square pose the new plaque. (Cesar Cardenas/The News)
The commemorative plaque that can be seen at 125 Square. (Cesar Cardenas/The News)
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The city of Port Arthur continues to celebrate its quasquincentennial anniversary with the inauguration of 125 Square, a park-like structure for the city and the community to enjoy.
The site sits directly next to Port Arthur City Hall built to commemorate the city’s 125th anniversary that happened last year. The square is decorated with new park benches that have the city’s 125th anniversary logo on them. The city also unveiled a plaque commemorating the city’s anniversary along with names of the steering team, city council members and quasquicentennial team members.
Verna Rutherford, a member of the steering committee, was the presenting speaker of the ceremony and introduced speakers as well as commemorated the members of the quasquicentennial team that had passed away. The event was sponsored by Christus Health.
Members of the city council and city staff took turns speaking on the city’s anniversary and thanked the people that made the celebrations possible.
“I am so grateful to serve during this time,” Councilmember Donald Frank said. “We get to honor all those who have come before us in the city of Port Arthur who have done extraordinary things and laid the foundation that we are seeking to build upon.”
A ceremonial legacy tree planted near the site also received a plaque as part of the celebrations. The tree named “Bill the Tree” was planted back in May 2023. The tree gains its name after Mayor Thurman “Bill” Bartie. The tree, known as the bald cypress tree, can live up to 600 years.
“My first remark is for the quasquicentennial, it took me an entire year to learn how to pronounce that long word, but 125 years of our great city being in existence,” Mayor Bartie said. “God has totally blessed us.”
The tree stands to honor all those who served the city and the quasquicentennial team who have died. The event concluded with a small lunch and desert for all those who attended.
The 125 Square, located at 444 4th St., is open to the public.
