Historic Time Capsule Unearthed at Turner Park

Published on August 05, 2026

A piece of Grand Prairie history resurfaced recently during renovations to Turner Park.

While preparing the site for a two year-long rehabilitation project, the Parks, Arts & Recreation Department unearthed a 28-year-old time capsule buried back in March 1998.

A worn, stained copy of the Grand Prairie News dated March 15–18, 1998 lies flat. The left page shows headlines about airport issues and a homicide investigation. The right page features an article titled “Sleep in heart of Texas” with a photo of three people standing beside a large Texas Sesquicentennial stone marker.
Two aged, stained pages rest side by side. The left page shows “Grand Prairie” above a simple black outline of Texas and a sketch of a rustic cabin with tall cattails in front. The right page features the headline “First mayor active with city, school” and a grainy portrait of a person in formal clothing above a block of text.
Two aged pages lie side by side. The left page lists Grand Prairie history, including incorporation in 1909, population estimates, industries, and awards. The right page is a worn Grand Prairie News front page dated February 20, 1974, showing a black‑and‑white photo of a house with a picket fence and another photo of a large formal group seated at a long table.
A rectangular, dirt‑covered concrete marker sits upright against a gray textured wall. Three small metal pins shaped like a star, a circular emblem, and a Texas outline are attached near the top. A worn green diamond‑shaped logo with the letters “HHA” is centered on the front surface.

At the time, the park pavilion was known as the Ruthe Jackson and Vernon Jackson Outdoor Learning Center. It was the Grand Prairie Garden Club, led by former City Council Member Ruthe Jackson, that buried the capsule to celebrate Texas’s birthday month.

While time and the elements took a toll, several historic treasures survived intact:

  • An original copy of the Grand Prairie News from March 1998
  • A booklet featuring a biography of Grand Prairie’s first mayor alongside city stats dating back to 1885
  • A document listing the mayors honored at the Outdoor Learning Center
  • A collection of commemorative Texas lapel pins

The recovered items offer a wonderful window into our community’s history as we continue building Grand Prairie’s future!

 

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