Posted in Austin
May 06, 2019
There’s No Other Historical Landmark In Austin Quite Like This 500-Year-Old Tree
As you drive along Baylor Street, you may notice an unassuming tree surrounded by a chain link fence. Well, it may not look like much now, but this resilient tree has been in the middle of some fascinating historical events. The stories are full of intrigue and mystery. There’s no other historical landmark in Austin quite like this 500-year-old tree.
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It is believed this tree was the site of a famous peace treaty between Stephen F. Austin and the Tonkawa and Comanche tribes in 1824.

According to legend, Native Americans brewed tea from the Treaty Oak's leaves and acorns in order to promote peacetime in war. It is also believed that Sam Houston luxuriated under its branches and contemplated his future after being removed as governor in 1860.

Thankfully, a local woman named Mrs. W.C. Stoner wrote a passionate plea to save it. Thanks to her beautiful words, the American Forestry Association named The Treaty Oak a historic tree in 1927.

In 1989, Austinites noticed the tree wasn't looking so good. Its branches were sagging and it wasn't producing acorns any more. Upon further investigation, it was determined the tree had been covered in gallons of Valpar poison. Locals finally found the perpetrator, a crazed Austinite who claimed to have poisoned the tree in order to "cast a spell." Thankfully, however, the city of Austin rallied around this tree to save it. People held prayer vigils and wrote get well cards. The positive vibes must have worked, because the tree is now recovering and producing acorns again.

There's no doubt about it -- Austin is full of incredible stories. Treaty Oak Address: 507 Baylor Street, Austin, TX 78703.
Want to dive deeper into Austin’s history? These 10 Austin then and now photos show just how much the city has changed.