LeClaire in Scott County, Iowa — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Green Tree / Buffalo Bill Trail
Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, July 8, 2023
1. Green Tree / Buffalo Bill Trail Marker
Troop 9
First Christian Church
Davenport, Iowa
The Buffalo Bill Trail was established in 1964 the same year the Green Tree was removed
These men were responsible for this trail
Robert W. Shaw • C. R. Hunter • R. W. Neese • D. W. Hoover • E. R. Hudgins • Ross E. Jasper • John W. Kraklio • R. D. Walton • W. E. Kroeger • R. D. Hopkins • G. L. McCoy • Cecil T. Ault, Sr. • F. E. Buchholz • J. R. Getting • P. R. Valerius • D. E. McIntyre
Erected by Davenport, Iowa Troop 9, Boy Scouts of America.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Landmarks. In addition, it is included in the Historic Trees series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1964.
Location. 41° 35.85′ N, 90° 20.578′ W. Marker is in LeClaire, Iowa, in Scott County. Marker is on Wisconsin Street east of Front Street, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Le Claire IA 52753, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. LeClaire's Rapid Pilots (within shouting distance of this marker); LeClaire Veterans Monument (within shouting distance of this marker); Buffalo Bill Museum
this page online
Regarding Green Tree / Buffalo Bill Trail. The Green Tree was a giant elm that stood along the Mississippi River for 225 years. The tree stood more than 50 feet high with a canopy of more than 100 feet in diameter, making it a key visual landmark for river pilots in the days before satellite-based navigation. The tree also provided a meeting place and makeshift sleeping quarters for rivermen (who called it the “Green Tree Hotel”) and a playground for local children, including a young William F. (later Buffalo Bill) Cody. The Green Tree succumbed to Dutch Elm Disease and was removed in 1964.
Also see . . .
1. The Green Tree Hotel. For years, the Green Tree served as a landmark for riverboat pilots on the Mississippi River.
Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, July 8, 2023
2. Green Tree / Buffalo Bill Trail Marker
Featured marker is on the right. The monument at left is non-historic.
2. The Green Tree Hotel. With all the trappings of a funeral, the Green Tree was felled on July 20, 1964. A crowd of 150 mourners watched as the tree hit the ground with a sickening thud. In the eerie quiet everyone realized they were paying homage to both the tree and an era. [Article begins on page 28 of the PDF] (Robert Stumm, Big River magazine, January, 2007 issue) (Submitted on August 8, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)
American Forestry Association via Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division (Public Domain), circa 1920
3. The Green Tree
Rivermen used it as a visual landmark as well as a makeshift 'hotel'.
Credits. This page was last revised on August 8, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 8, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 62 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 8, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
