Brenham in Washington County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
The Century Tree
The Century Tree is a Texas A&M campus landmark, beloved by Aggies. It is believed to be one of the first trees planted on the campus of the state's first public institution of higher learning, which opened in 1876.
In recent years, the Century Tree has become known as a "sweetheart tree" with hundreds of Aggie marriage proposals taking place there every year. Tradition states that couples who walk beneath its draping branches will remain together forever.
It's not just Aggies who consider the tree famous. The Century Tree has received a "Famous Tree of Texas” designation by the Texas Forest Service. The "Famous Tree of Texas" designation is reserved for an elite group of trees that have witnessed exciting times in Texas frontier history and are alive today.
Seedlings grown from acorns harvested from the original Century Tree, located on the Texas A&M campus, are sold each year to provide scholarships to deserving A&M students.
This Century Tree seedling was donated to Blue Bell Creameries by Tom Earwood (Class of 1978) in 2012, in recognition of the proud achievements of the Kruse family and their support of Texas A&M University.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Horticulture & Forestry. A significant historical year for this entry is 1876.
Location. 30° 9.767′ N, 96° 22.739′ W. Marker is in Brenham, Texas, in Washington County. Marker is at the intersection of South Blue Bell Road and Longhofer Street, on the right when traveling north on South Blue Bell Road. The marker is located in front of the Blue Bell Tours and Country Store. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1101 South Blue Bell Road, Brenham TX 77833, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Blue Bell Creameries (a few steps from this marker); Camptown Cemetery (approx. 0.6 miles away); Site of Pickard High School (approx. 0.6 miles away); Mount Rose Missionary Baptist Church (approx. 0.7 miles away); Milroy's Garden and Orchard (approx. 0.8 miles away); William H. Watson (approx. 0.8 miles away); Brenham Fire Department (approx. 0.8 miles away); Evangelical Lutheran Colleges of Texas (approx. 0.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Brenham.
Also see . . . Century Tree - Aggie Traditions. If a marriage proposal takes place under the tree, the marriage will last forever. Source: tamu.edu (Submitted on January 10, 2021, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)
Credits. This page was last revised on January 11, 2021. It was originally submitted on January 10, 2021, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 155 times since then and 32 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 10, 2021, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.