Near Baker City in Baker County, Oregon — The American West (Northwest)

The Lone Tree of the Oregon Trail

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, June 28, 2017

1. The Lone Tree of the Oregon Trail Marker

Map of the Oregon Trail, with features, between Farewell Bend and Pendleton is in the backdrop. Click image to enlarge.

Inscription.
Early Oregon Trail emigrants crested the south flank of Flagstaff Hill and, with the Blue Mountains looming to the west, saw a solitary tree in the valley below. Called l’arbre seul (the lone tree) by French-Canadian fur trappers, this large tree, possibly ponderosa pine or Douglas-fir, towered majestically above the floor of Baker Valley about three miles northwest of this marker.

For many years - perhaps centuries - the Lone Tree served as a landmark for Indians, trappers, missionaries, and Oregon Trail emigrants, until felled in 1843 by what explorer John Fremont called, “some inconsiderate emigrant axe.”

The place called Lone Tree is a beautiful valley in the region of the Powder River, in the centre of which is a solitary tree quite large, by the side of which travelers usually stop & refresh themselves. -- Narcissi Whitman, August 26, 1836

…as I drove along, I would raise my head and look at that beautiful green pine. At last, on looking up as usual, there tree was gone. … That brave old pine, which had withstood the storms and snows of centuries, had fallen at last by the vandal hands of man. Some
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of our inconsiderate people had cut it down for fuel, but it was to green to burn. …Had I been there in time I should have begged those woodmen to 'spare that tree.' -- Peter Hardeman Burnett, September 27, 1843

Erected by Baker County Historical Society.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Horticulture & Forestry • Landmarks • Roads & Vehicles. In addition, it is included in the Historic Trees, the Oregon Beaver Boards, and the Oregon Trail series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1843.

Location. 44° 48.721′ N, 117° 45.255′ W. Marker is near Baker City, Oregon, in Baker County. It is on State Road 86 (Oregon Route 86). Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Baker City OR 97814, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Eastern Oregon.

It is also in the American Mountain West

and in the Lewis & Clark Corridor.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Pacific Rim,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker,

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, June 28, 2017

2. The Lone Tree of the Oregon Trail Marker

The Lone Tree of the Oregon Trail was located in the valley beyond.

measured as the crow flies: Oregon Trail Memorial (approx. half a mile away); The Lure of Gold (approx. 1.1 miles away); Ruts of the Oregon Trail (approx. 1.1 miles away); The Wagon Encampment (approx. 1.2 miles away); Baker City Chinese History (approx. 3.3 miles away); Chinese Shrine (approx. 3.3 miles away); Baker (approx. 3½ miles away); The Oregon Trail (approx. 3½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Baker City.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 14, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 9, 2017, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 2,119 times since then and 106 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 9, 2017, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.