Parks

Hayne Memorial Triangle Park

Dedication

1893

Size

0.10 acres

Additional amenities

Benches
Electrical box
Pet Station
Water Feature

Fun Facts and History

In 1889, the Texas Spring Palace was erected near the present-day location of the Texas & Pacific Terminal. The building was constructed for exhibitions showcasing Texas agricultural products. Accordingly, the exterior of the domed, wood-framed structure was decorated with flowers, seeds, and grasses. On May 30, 1890, a dress ball attended by seven thousand was held at the palace. A fire erupted, consuming the building. Al Hayne, a British civil engineer, was credited with saving numerous women and children by lowering them through a second story window to awaiting arms. Ironically, the only fatality was Mr. Hayne who died the following day as a result of burns he received.

Under the sponsorship of the Women’s Humane Association, a monument was erected in 1893 near present-day East Lancaster and Main Street near the site of the Texas Spring Palace. The sandstone monument contained a bust of Mr. Hayne. By 1916, the monument was located on a triangular piece of ground that was paved with brick. In April of that year, the monument became park property and plans were made to remove the brick and beautify the triangle. By May, attractive flower beds were located at each of its three corners.

In 1934, the monument and its surroundings were altered. The base of the monument was “dressed up” and moved closer to the center of the triangle. A reflecting basin was built around the monument and a second reflecting pool was built nearby while the island itself was landscaped. This work was done by laborers employed through the Civil Works Administration. Through a federal art program, the sculptor Evaline Sellors of Fort Worth created a bronze bust to replace the original sandstone bust of Hayne.

After years of deterioration, the monument was restored in 1996-97 by the Laboratory for Conservation of Fine Arts, Teaneck, New Jersey through the efforts of the Historic Preservation Council of Tarrant County. In 2009, the intersection of South Main Street and East Lancaster Avenue was realigned farther to the east so that the Al Hayne Monument no longer sits on an island. Through the auspices of the Fort Worth Public Art Program, a team of four conservators led by John Denis and Michael Morris undertook repairs and conservation work on the historic monument.

View animal, plant and insect species observed at Hayne Park and make some of your own observations through iNaturalist. See link under the "Related information" Section.

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