J. Horace McFarland

Who was J. Horace McFarland?

J. Horace McFarland from McAlisterville, Pennsylvania was a leading proponent of the "City Beautiful Movement" in the United States.

McFarland was the son of Union Civil War colonel George F. McFarland. He lived and worked most of his adult life in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, the state capital. McFarland served as president of the American Civic Association from 1904 to 1924. McFarland and the ACA were a major force promoting civic improvement, environmental conservation, and beautification in the USA. McFarland helped organize the defense of Niagara Falls from development efforts by power companies, worked to protect Yosemite National Park with the famous environmental preservationist John Muir, who has been hailed as the father of the National Park Service.

He is remembered for a statement at the first Conference of Governors held at the White House, Washington D.C., in 1908:

“It is the love of country that has lighted and that keeps glowing the holy fire of patriotism.”