Fort Worth in Tarrant County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Steel's Tavern Oaks

1849

Photographed by Joe Lotz, January 4, 2025

1. Steel's Tavern Oaks Marker

Inscription. When the dragoons constructed the post atop the bluff in 1849, they did not cut down all the trees they found there. They left some for shade, only clearing an area for the parade ground. On the eastern edge of the parade gound they spared a small stand of live oaks near the horse stables. Three of those trees somehow survived the next 170+ years of wood-cutting and urban growth, weather and disease to stand proudly today. They are called "Steel's Tress", named for pioneert Lawrence Steel who operated a hotel and stagecoach stop known as Steel's Tavern for years on the site where the old cavalry stables had stood. As part of the 1924 Diamond Jubliee a marker was paced on one of the trees, on is a series placed at that time, since then the bark has grown over the plaque leaving it barely visible today. These trees are the last remnant of the original fort grounds. In 1978 Tarrant County sought a resolution to save the trees and preserve the site as a historic landmark. These trees today are honored by the state as "Famous Trees of Texas".

Erected 2019 by Tarrant County Historic Commission.

Topics. This historical

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marker is listed in these topic lists: Horticulture & Forestry • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1849.

Location. 32° 45.469′ N, 97° 20.079′ W. Marker is in Fort Worth, Texas, in Tarrant County. It is on North Houston Street north of West Belknap Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 623 N Houston St, Fort Worth TX 76102, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Prairies & Lakes Region.

It is also in the American South.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Republic of Texas,

and one of the Confederate States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Fort Worth Hotel (here, next to this marker); First School (a few steps from this marker); Tarrant County Criminal Courts Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Site of the First Masonic Hall in Fort Worth (within shouting distance of this marker); Fort Worth

Steel's Tavern Oaks Marker - Image of the subject image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Joe Lotz, January 4, 2025

2. Steel's Tavern Oaks Marker - Image of the subject

(within shouting distance of this marker); The Site of Camp Worth (within shouting distance of this marker); Leonard Brothers Department Store (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Paddock Viaduct (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fort Worth.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 5, 2025. It was originally submitted on January 4, 2025, by Joe Lotz of Flower Mound, Texas. This page has been viewed 507 times since then and 58 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 4, 2025, by Joe Lotz of Flower Mound, Texas. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.