When Audrey Cooper planted a young magnolia tree near her home in 1940, she never imagined that 69 years later this tree would be a stately landmark in Bayside and she would be honored for helping to preserve a piece of history.

In a special ceremony held Thursday, July 9 at Bayside, Doug Brown, director of land development for Carl M. Freeman Companies, unveiled a sign just a few feet from the tree dedicating “The Audrey Cooper Magnolia” to the Bayside community in her honor.

Prior to the unveiling, Doug Brown remarked that in conceiving Bayside, it was the company’s vision to create a coastal community which not only provided quality homes and amenities for its residents, but also honored the land and its surrounding environment.

“Our community is blessed with woodlands, wetlands, and marshes. As developers, we are committed to protecting and nurturing these areas for years to come.” Continuing, Brown said, “It is in this spirit that we recognize Mrs. Audrey Cooper.”

Surrounded by 3 generations of family members, Mrs. Cooper recalled her home and farm that existed at the very site of the ceremony. She and her husband Elmer worked the land for many years. “We had a wonderful life here by the bay raising our family,” she said.

When Mrs. Cooper sold her property to Carl M. Freeman Companies, she asked that the Magnolia tree be preserved. Today, the tree stands in a large circle of grass on East Sand Cove Road overlooking several holes of the Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course.

Bayside is a resort waterfront golf community – Numerous amenities and closeness to Atlantic beaches, Where to Retire magazine recently designated Bayside as one of America’s 100 Best Master-Planned Communities, and one of Ideal Living Magazines Top Amenity Communities. Located along the Assawoman Bay just four miles west of Fenwick Island. Developed by Carl M. Freeman Companies, Bayside is a thriving community with more than 450 homes settled.

For more information on the amenities and recreational activities at Bayside, call the Community Information Center at 302-436-9998 or visit Bayside on The Web. For home sales, call NVHomes at 302-436-9606.