This “presentation” axe was made in a high school metal shop class in 1925. You know, back when schools had shop classes. It’s a small “presentation” axe. The head is only about 3.5” and the handle barely 8” long.
The axe tells a story. It’s a Seattle success story. An immigrant story. And for those who adore dahlias, it’s a love story.
The axe may be small, but it tells a big tale.
On one side, the axe head says,
“Made in Broadway High Shop.”
On the other side it says,
“Presented to Mr. L.P. Bennett, Principal by Pablo Abellera 1925.”
Mr. L.P. Bennett served as the principal of Broadway High School on Capitol Hill in Seattle. It was Seattle’s first dedicated high school building. Most of the old school was demolished in 1974, but a hue and cry from alumni at the time prompted the city to save the school auditorium which survives today and is known as the Broadway Performance Hall.
This is a postcard showing the old Broadway High School.
This is Performance Hall today that was originally part of Broadway High School.
But who was Pablo Abellera?
Pablo Abellera was obviously taking metal shop at Broadway High School in 1925 and made this axe as a gift to the school principal.
And after high school?
Mr. Abellera would go on to become one of Washington State’s best known and prize-winning dahlia growers. Pablo Abellera was instrumental in sparking a state-wide culture of dedicated dahlia breeding and gardening. Dahlia groups, whether they are backyard hobbyists, esteemed members of the many dahlia societies, or professional cut-flower farmers, all owe a certain amount of debt to Mr. Abellera.
Dahlia Flower
The bottom photos are from a Facebook post by Mr. Abellera’s son Nick. Pablo Abellero is accepting an award for his dahlias from the Seafair Queen.
So, as you are wandering through one of Washington’s amazing nurseries or Dahlia farms or appreciating the dahlia’s you have grown in your own garden, take a moment to thank Pablo Abellero. A true dahlia pioneer.
