The history of a mighty post oak tree in Eufaula

Great article about the mighty oak tree at the intersection of Highland Avenue, Cotton Avenue and Eufaula Avenue, that was felled by tornado-like winds in 1961.

From http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?BRD=2...7&PAG=461&rfi=9:
 
Creek Indians likely met under its cool summer branches. When Eufaula was known as Irwinton, it was an outpost of sorts and early settlers passed by it as they traveled north and over the wooden bridge that crossed Chewalla Creek.
Later, it stood sentinel before the home of Confederate Capt. John A. Walker and little girls made play houses under its canopy while little boys played marbles. When Capt. Walker's house burned, the tree survived. During the cyclone of 1919, the roots held firm.
(...) An iron fence was donated by Dr. J.L. Houston, along with a bronze plaque that bore the inscription: "The Tree That Owns Itself, deeded by the city of Eufaula to the Post Oak Tree, April 8, 1936, christened the Walker Oak May 1, 1936, 'Only God Can Make a Tree'." The fence itself was historic and according to The Tribune, it had "adorned flower gardens of long ago."
In 1961, the tree was still standing guard at the intersection of Highland Avenue, Cotton Avenue and Eufaula Avenue. Tourists often stopped to take its picture and read its inscription.
But on April 9, 1961, the long-standing tree met its match when a tornado-like wind swept through Eufaula

The article also describes the history of the replacement tree, another post oak donated by the International Paper Company.

07:21 AM