Belle Camp Blog

At the December meeting Walter Bellingrath gave a personal check for $14,000 to the Foundation to allow a distribution to be made to the Gardens and other beneficiaries. That sum would equate to just under $170,000 today.

It was also announced that Mobile’s Lerio Corporation would fabricate a ticket booth for the Garden entrance. Mr. Bellingrath was part owner of that firm which was founded to produce pumps and equipment used in the collection of turpentine. During the 1920’s they began producing metal bodies for Coca-Cola delivery trucks as well

1954

It was announced that Mr. Albert A. Hunt had retired as “Acting Manger and Landscape Engineer.” He was retained as “consulting engineer” to assist Martin D. Green who replaced him.

Mr. Bellingrath personally donated $7,500 (approximately $95,000 today) for pipe replacements and the installation of fencing. Mr. Bellingrath said “our piping system has become inadequate” while voicing his concern over “trespassers and fire dangers from arson.”

At the meeting Mr. Bellingrath also stated that there would be no distributions of funds to beneficiaries that year.

1955

At the March 17 meeting George E. Downing and George W. Burney were named trustees. George Downing was Sales Manger for Coca Cola while Mr. Burney was the company’s secretary/treasurer. This would be the last meeting attended by Walter Bellingrath.

At the May 31 meeting Mr. Bellingrath’s absence was noted but he sent a letter cancelling his earlier donation for fence and water improvements, directing that sum be given over to the general funds.

The next called meeting would follow our founder’s death in August.