Colbert in Bryan County, Oklahoma — The American South (West South Central)

The Message Tree

Photographed By Ronald Claiborne, April 6, 2024

1. The Message Tree Marker

Inscription.

Before Oklahoma was a state, this tree gained the title of “The Message Tree”. Everyone in this area who needed to communicate with a loved one or business partner knew to nail a message to this tree.

This area where the travel center is located has early historic stories from the Overland Mail Stopover to the Butterfield Stage Line, a mail route that connected St. Louis to San Francisco in the mid-1800s. In 1931 there were bridge wars between Texas and Oklahoma. Governor Alfalfa Bill Burray came with his troops to open the New Free Bridge. Governor Murray posted a sign on this tree telling everyone he had plowed up the road to the old toll bridge and needed everyone to meet that same day to cross over the free bridge.

Erected by Colbert Historical Society.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers.

Location. 33° 50.662′ N, 96° 30.777′ W. Marker is in Colbert, Oklahoma, in Bryan County. Marker is on Alternate U.S. 69/75 north of Uptown West River Road, on the right when traveling north. The marker is located at the Choctaw Welcome Center just off U.S. Highway 69/75 North. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Colbert OK 74733, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 7 miles of this marker

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, measured as the crow flies. Colbert's Ferry (approx. 0.9 miles away); Red River Bridge (approx. 0.9 miles away); 1931 Free Bridge Controversy (approx. 2.2 miles away in Texas); a different marker also named Colbert's Ferry (approx. 2.2 miles away in Texas); Lake Texoma (approx. 3.9 miles away in Texas); Site of Terrell High School (approx. 5.7 miles away in Texas); Hopewell Baptist Church (approx. 6 miles away in Texas); J.K. Miller House (approx. 6.2 miles away in Texas). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Colbert.

The Message Tree image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Ronald Claiborne, April 6, 2024

2. The Message Tree

Credits. This page was last revised on April 12, 2024. It was originally submitted on April 10, 2024, by Ronald Claiborne of College Station, Texas. This page has been viewed 52 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 10, 2024, by Ronald Claiborne of College Station, Texas. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.