A Brief History Of Berlin’s Gladioli Beds
submitted by Sharon Klein, Berlin Town Historian
Eighty-two years after the death of Berlin native Arthur Cowee his gladioli legacy is still something that can capture the imagination! For the past few years the Beautification of Berlin Committee has been planting gladioli bulbs along Route 22 to replicate, in a small way, the renowned display of these fields of flowers which were grown in three locations in town – Meadowvale Farm, just north of Seagroatt’s on Route 22, boasted more than 200 acres while a second field was planted at the current site of Berlin Elementary School. Another 30 acres, known as Meadowvale Farm II, were located in Southeast Hollow.
Arthur Cowee’s gladioli business was launched in the late 1880s and by 1907 he was internationally known as the “Gladioli King” because he grew more of these perennials than anyone in the country and the business was still growing! Cowee’s fields yielded 10,000 bushels of bulbs in 1905, and he employed 100 workers at the peak of the business. People came from all around the Capital District, across the country and beyond to see these fields. J.C. Bourgondien, owner of a Dutch bulb company that is still in existence, traveled from Holland to Berlin in 1907 to see Cowee’s Meadowvale Farm. Thomas Edison was so taken with the fields of flowers that he used them as a backdrop for two silent movies he filmed in Berlin.
The current Fire Hall was once a three story bulb house built by Cowee for drying the bulbs which he sold across the United States and in many foreign countries. He also had a stand on Route 22 where one could purchase bouquets of these beautiful flowers.
The demise of Cowee’s gladioli business was due to his death in 1928.
Why Gladioli Beds In Berlin Now?
The Beautification of Berlin Committee works to beautify Route 22, celebrate and preserve the rich history of our Town and cause people to pause and think of the contributions of those who have gone before us.
