Downtown in Waco in McLennan County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

The Ross Oak

Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, March 31, 2025

1. The Ross Oak Marker

Inscription. This large Live Oak tree is named for the Pioneer family of Shapley Prince Ross (1811-89), who camped here overnight while migrating from Missouri in 1839. They returned to this area in 1848, with Ross at the head of a Texas Ranger Company. When Waco was founded in 1849, Ross bought the land around the Oak Tree. He became postmaster, ferryman, and hotel owner in the town. He and wife, Catherine (1812-86), were parents of Robert (b.1848) and Kate (b.1851) Ross, first children born to permanent Anglo-American settlers in this area. Another son, Lawrence Sullivan Ross (1838-98), was governor of Texas, 1887-91)

Erected 1975 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 5419.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Horticulture & Forestry • Settlements & Settlers.

Location. 31° 32.936′ N, 97° 7.819′ W. Marker is in Waco, Texas, in McLennan County. It is in Downtown. It is on South 9th Street south of Clay Ave. In backyard of Waco Child Care Infant Center Admin. Office. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 613 S 9th St, Waco TX 76706, 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,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Katy Park (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Old Church (approx. ¼ mile away);

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Evangelia Settlement (approx. ¼ mile away); Silos Baking Co. (approx. ¼ mile away); The Grain Barn (approx. ¼ mile away); The Silos (approx. 0.3 miles away); History of the Grounds (approx. 0.3 miles away); Site of Old Texas Cotton Palace (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Waco.

The Ross Oak tree and marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, March 31, 2025

2. The Ross Oak tree and marker

Credits. This page was last revised on April 1, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 1, 2025, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. This page has been viewed 232 times since then and 38 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 1, 2025, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.