Buckhannon in Upshur County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)
The Bicentennial Sycamore
Photographed by Bradley Owen, February 24, 2025
1. The Bicentennial Sycamore Marker
The sycamore tree is very significant to Buckhannon-Upshur lore. School children here early on in their studies come to learn about—and our community’s residents are nearly universally familiar with—the legend of John & Samuel Pringle living in the hollow of a giant sycamore (1764–67) located about three miles north of here at what is now Pringle Tree Park along the Buckhannon River.
On September 30, 2016, a crowd of thousands gathered nearby in Jawbone Park to celebrate Buckhannon’s bicentennial. As part of that 2016 celebration, the planting of three sycamores symbolizing the third century of our community was commissioned by our city. A second sycamore was planted in Jawbone Park. The third bicentennial sycamore was planted at Pringle Tree Park.
The original “Pringle Tree” was again celebrated on December 2, 2016 before another substantial gathering of our residents as part of the City Seal mural rededication ceremony conducted downtown at the corner of West Main & North Locust Streets. Artist Ross Straight who designed the mural, & Deborah Dorland who painted the mural were both honored. Our community’s origin shall forever be linked to the sycamore tree. Renowned American poet, novelist, & environmentalist Wendell Berry captured the meaning of the tree in his aptly titled, “The Sycamore.”
In the place that is my own place, whose earth
I am shaped in and must bear, there is an old tree growing,
a great sycamore that is a wondrous healer of itself.
Fences have been tied to it, nails driven into it,
hacks and whittles cut in it, the lightning has burned it.
There is no year it has flourished in
that has not harmed it. There is a hollow in it
that is its death, though its living brims whitely
at the lip of the darkness and flows outward.
Over all its scars has come the seamless white
ofthe bark. It bears the gnarls of its history
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healed over. It has risen to a strange perfection
in the warp and bending of its long growth.
It has gathered all accidents into its purpose.
It has become the intention and radian of its dark fate.
It is a fact, sublime, mystical and unassailable.
In all the country there is no other like it.
I recognize in it a principle, an indwelling
the same as itself, and greater, that I would be ruled by.
I see that it stands in its place and feeds upon it,
and is fed upon, and is native, and maker.
Dedicated in memory of & tribute to all of those who have struggled & continue to struggle with substance addiction. Our B-U community seeks to offer hope & help to those struggling, their families, & friends. Never give up!
Erected 2017 by The City of Buckhannon.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Environment • Parks & Recreational Areas • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical date for this entry is September 30, 2016.
Location. 38° 59.478′ N, 80° 12.739′ W. Marker is in Buckhannon, West Virginia, in Upshur County. It is on Wood Street just north of Walktrail
Photographed by Bradley Owen, February 24, 2025
2. The Bicentennial Sycamore Marker
Marker is located in the center of the photo.
Regionally, this marker is in North Central West Virginia. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, in Appalachia, and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Castanea dentata x mollissima (Dunstan chestnut) (within shouting distance of this marker); Celastrus orbiculatus (Oriental bittersweet) (within shouting distance of this marker); Two Buddies & An Angel (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); West Virginia Wesleyan College (about 500 feet away); Juglans cinerea (butternut, or white walnut) (about 600 feet away); Juglans nigra (black walnut) (about 600 feet away); Parthenocissus quinquefolia (Virginia creeper) (about 700 feet away); Franklin C. "Hank" Ellis (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Buckhannon.
Credits. This page was last revised on March 3, 2025. It was originally submitted on March 3, 2025, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. This page has been viewed 112 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 3, 2025, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia.
