Biography:

Joel Joshua Halbert

Eugene Halbert (1857-1901), the son of J. J. Halbert, married Arkansas native Lou Terrell (1859-1901) in Mississippi around 1882. The Halberts were living in Grenada, Grenada County, Mississippi, by 1900. Eugene Halbert was employed as a railway-express agent. The Halberts had several children, including Marie (1883-1977), Fannie (1885-1927), Eugenia (1888-1965), William Judson (1892-1945), and Joel Joshua. Marie Halbert later married Thomas Edgar Granberry (1871-1931).

Joel Joshua Halbert was born in Grenada on October 11, 1893. Following the death of his parents in 1901, Halbert moved to Jackson, Hinds County, Mississippi, in 1904 to live with his aunt and uncle, Lettie Terrell Davis (1854-1941) and W. J. Davis (1853-1916). After attending Central High School in Jackson, Halbert graduated from Washington and Lee University in Virginia with degrees in architecture and engineering. He served in the United States Army Corps of Engineers for two years during World War I, spending part of his tour of duty as a captain in France.

Halbert began working as a draftsman for the city of Jackson in 1914. He was promoted to city engineer in 1928, and he was later director of public works until his retirement in 1968. Some of the projects he supervised included the construction of the municipal airport and Battlefield, Livingston, and Riverside parks in Jackson. Halbert was also instrumental in elevating the Illinois Central Railroad tracks in downtown Jackson. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Jackson. Halbert was also involved in the organization of the Carnival Ball and the Debutante Club of Mississippi, and he was a founder of the Mississippi Club and the University Club. The Josh Halbert Garden, located behind the city hall in Jackson, was named in his honor on January 17, 1974.

 

Scope and Content Note:

This collection consists of records associated with the Josh Halbert Garden, as well as correspondence, photographs, printed materials, awards and certificates, and newsclippings related to Josh Halbert and members of his family.

The Josh Halbert Garden records include 1974 and 1975 letters thanking Halbert for his many years of service to the city of Jackson. Other records concern the groundbreaking and dedication of the Josh Halbert Garden, including programs, two miniature plastic souvenir shovels from the groundbreaking ceremony on January 17, 1974, and a speech delivered by Jackson public works director Frank Stewart at the groundbreaking ceremony. There are photographs of the groundbreaking ceremony, the dedication ceremony and reception, and the completed garden. Two undated Christmas cards also contain photographs of the garden.

Josh Halbert wrote several early letters to his aunt, Lettie Terrell Davis, from locations such as Biloxi, Mississippi, in 1920; Washington, D.C., in 1930; and Carlsbad, New Mexico, in 1939, concerning his travels and the weather. One 1943 letter written by Jackson city commissioner A. F. Hawkins recommends the appointment of Halbert as city manager. Other letters to Halbert congratulate him for various achievements.

The photographs are almost all black-and-white in format, and most of them are identified. Events depicted include the 1966 groundbreaking for the new Jackson city auditorium. Subjects depicted include Eugenia, Fannie, Josh, and Marie Halbert, Mrs. Vernon Davis, Mr. and Mrs. W. J. Davis, and Percy Ransom.

The printed materials consist of a 1901 funeral notice for Eugene Halbert, a 1928 program from the University Club of Jackson, and a 1963 resolution by the Jackson Chamber of Commerce presented to Josh Halbert. There is an also an undated brochure from the First Baptist Church of Jackson.

Josh Halbert received various awards and certificates from the American Public Works Association, the Mississippi State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers, the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity, and the Kiwanis Club of Jackson.

The newsclippings include articles on Josh or Eugenia Halbert and an obituary for Thomas Edgar Granberry.

 

Series Identification:

Series 1: Josh Halbert Garden Records. 1974-1975; n.d. 2 folders.

Box 1

Series 2: Correspondence. 1920-1962; n.d. 1 folder.

Box 1

Series 3: Photographs. ca. 1892-1974; n.d. 4 folders.

Box 1, folders 1-3 (ca. 1892-1974; n.d.)
Box 2, folder 1 (n.d.)

Series 4: Printed Materials. 1901-1963; n.d. 1 folder.

Box 1

Series 5: Awards and Certificates. 1929-1962. 1 folder.

Box 2

Series 6: Newsclippings. 1931-1958; n.d. 1 folder.

Box 1