Historic Cottonwood - Black Kettle Grasslands, TX - Exceptional Trees on Waymarking.com

County of tree: Hemphill County
"Historical Period: Frontier Texas (1865-1900)
Historical Topic: Frontier Settlements
Species: Eastern Cottonwood (Populus deltoides)
County: Hemphill
Public Access: Yes
Texas Historical marker at site
Location of Marker: CR-L, off FM-2266, 12 miles E. of US-60, N. of Canadian
Marker Erected by: State Historical Survey Committee
Date Marker Erected: Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1969

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Marker Text:

133 Yards East to Site of
HISTORIC COTTONWOOD A landmark for pioneers on military and stage road nearby, 1870-1890. Over a century old, tree measures 21 feet around.

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"The Landmark Cottonwood is in the Black Kettle National Grasslands on the east side of Lake Marvin, about 14 miles east of Canadian, TX. From Canadian, go 1.9 miles on Hwy 60E/83N, turn right onto FM 2266 and go 10 miles until pavement ends. Continue down the gravel road, staying to the right. Go 1.5 miles until you reach the trailhead and the state historical marker commemorating this tree."
~ Texas A&M Forest Service

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My words, Explained for an easier trip. Leave Canadian and go north on US-60, turn right (east) when you reach FM-2266. Travel this beautiful tree lined and lonely road for 12 miles and then you will come to Lake Marvin. This is also the Black Kettle National Grasslands. Go right and you are on Country Road L, but you must circle the lake, the marker will be on your right 3/4 the way around. Go left and you must look for and turn on Country Road L, and the marker will then be on your left in about a 1/4 mile. A picnic area is just across the street. From the marker you must walk about 130 yards to the tree. The path is marked, lined and padded. So it is a pleasant walk. A park bench is at the end of the path and you can sit and ponder whatever thoughts you wish to ponder at that time.

Genus/Species: Eastern Cottonwood (Populus deltoides) Height: 90 Girth: 21 Method of obtaining height: Reliable source Method of obtaining girth: Reliable source Location type: Other public property Age: 200 Historical significance: "This gigantic eastern cottonwood stands near the famous Military and Stageline Trail on the South Canadian River and served for centuries as an important landmark for Indians, pioneers, buffalo hunters, and military units who traveled this part of the Texas Panhandle prior to 1890. "For centuries the area surrounding this landmark was dominated by Indians. Later it was shared by hunters who sought the hides and meat of the buffalo. By 1874, the increased frequency of raids on the settlements by fierce plains Indians caused the U. S. Government to establish a fort about thirty-three miles south of this cottonwood. Fort Elliott, as it was called, was the first permanent settlement in the Texas Panhandle. The nearest railroad was at Fort Dodge, Kansas, 184 miles to the north, and the nearest source of supplies was Camp Supply in the Oklahoma Indian Territory, some 95 miles north. "Early stage drivers and buffalo hunters were guided by this giant cottonwood to a safe crossing on the Canadian, which at some points contained beds of treacherous quicksand. Mail carriers on the three-day trip to Camp Supply usually spent their first night at the Canadian crossing, probably in the vicinity of this tree. "In those early days, when physical comforts were few and far between, the tree was a welcome sight to the plainsmen when they reined their steeds at the top of a distant hill and saw the crown of green leaves of the Landmark Cottonwood shimmering under a blazing Texas sun. Source: Texas A&M Forestry Website reference: [Web Link] Parking coordinates: N 35° 53.218 W 100° 10.788 Walk time: 3 Planter: Not listed Photograpy coordinates: Not Listed

Visit Instructions:
A closeup picture of your GPS receiver in your hand, with the tree in the background, is required. If the tree is on private property, this closeup photograph with the tree in the background may be taken from the nearest public vantage point without actually going to the tree.
The required photograph does not need to show the entire tree, but the individual tree must be recognizable.

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