Things Olmste(a)d

How do you classify the collection of miscellaneous things named for an Olmste(a)d. Well, I couldn’t come up with anything easier than “things” and they are placed here in no particular order.

Olmsted Maple — Acer Platanoides `Olmsted’ — developed by the ___ nursery, North Olmsted, Ohio. The Olmsted Maple (a Norway Maple) grows to a height of 25′-45′ with a crown spread of 20′-35′; an upright, columner tree with good salt tolerance and more resistant to leaf scorch than other cultivars is well suited for urban settings.

The Olmste(a)d Family Association has placed Olmsted Maples as memorial in the following places:
* University of Evansville, In in honor of Ralph Evans Olmsted (1899-1983) a graduate who served the university for over eighty years in administration and then as archivist. (1982)
* The Ancient Burying Ground, Center Church Cemetery, Hartford, CT. (July 1986, OFA reunion.)
* Biltmore Estate, Asheville, NC. Planted in the gardens below the mansion in honor of FLO who was the planner for the estate grounds and the creation of the Biltmore Forest. (July 1992, OFA reunion)

Olmsted Lilac — Syringa vulgaris. ‘Frederick Law Olmsted’ — named for FLO who was involved in planning the famous Lilac Park in Rochester, NY. From a nursery in Rochester.
* Roberts Wesleyan University, Chili, NY (July 2010, OFA reunion)

USS Olmsted (APA-188) — was a Haskell-class attack transport that saw service with the US Navy for the task of transporting troops to and from combat areas. Olmsted was named for Olmsted County, Minnesota. She saw service from 1944 to 1960, transporting troops and supplies in the Pacific from the states to war zones during WW -II and the Korean era. After a period of service as a training ship based in Norfolk, she was “mothballed” and placed in the Atlantic reserve fleet. In 1983 she was sold for scrap.

Olmstead’s Regiment — The 1st Regiment of Georgia Infantry was often referred to as “Olmstead’s Regiment” The Georgia 1st (Mercer’s-Olmstead’s) Volunteers Infantry Regiment was organized prior to the war with militia companies from Savannah. After entering Confederate service it was disciplined at both heavy artillery and infantry. The regiment served on the coast with a detachment at Savannah and another at Charleston. Colonel Olmstead, with Company H (the Oglethorpe Light Infantry) and four companies from other commands, defended Fort Pulaski, in Savanah harbor, against the Federals. Colonel Olmstead surrendered the Fort

Charles H. Olmstead Papers, 1860-1865 — Charles Hart Olmstead (1837-1926), was a Confederate Army officer and member of the 1st Georgia Infantry Regiment. The collection contains military papers including orders, circulars, communications and telegrams, reports, and some correspondence about military matters, sent and received by Charles H. Olmstead at Fort Pulaski, Ga., from 1861 until its surrender in 1862; at Morris Island and Fort Johnson on James Island, S.C., in 1863; and in the vicinity of Savannah and Atlanta and elsewhere in Georgia in 1864-1865. Olmstead was imprisoned at Fort Columbus after the surrender of Fort Pulaski and wrote a letter, 10 June 1862, to United States Secretary of War Stanton complaining about the treatment of the Confederate sick and wounded in a manner in violation of the surrender terms. In addition, there are twenty-four letters, 1861-1864, from Olmstead to his wife at Savannah and Milledgeville, Ga., describing camp life; military activities at various locations, including, in addition to places previously mentioned, Tybee Island, Ga., and Hilton Head, S.C.; his estimation of the military situation; and speculation about the future.

The Charles H. Olmstead Papers, #1856, Southern Historical Collection, Wilson Special Collections Library, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill were a gift of his daughter Florence Olmstead of Savannah, Ga., May 1951.

The Olmstead Tractor was the creation of Charles Olmstead (1866-aft 1942) of Big Timber (Olmstead Gas Traction Co., Great Falls), Montana about 1910. He designed and built a “fully sprung and articulating four wheel drive tractor” which was unique at that time.

The Olmsted Shoe created by Louisville, KY rapper Jack Harlow in conjunction with New Balance shoe company this is a low profile, flat walking shoe that Harlow said is ideal for walking in the parks in his hometown and thus he named it in honor of FLO who’s firm designed many parks and private places in Louisville.

Olmstead Honey, home harvested at Olmstead Hall, Castle Camps, Cambridgeshire, England. In the 1930s the Kiddy family purchased Olmstead Hall that had been held by the “Crown” for centuries. Still working crop farm, second generation owners Brian and Corinne add honey to their “crops” with two hives in 2012. They now have 40 hives and have developed a thriving side business to supplement the grain and other crops. Visitors are welcome by appointment at Olmstead Honey, less than two hours from London.

Olmstead Lake in northern Manitoba

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Place by the Elms © Walt Steesy, 2007-2017
and Olmste(a)d Family Association, 2017-2026
Last Updated September 15, 2026

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