Shepherdstown in Jefferson County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)
Kentucky Coffeetree (Gymnocladus dioicus)
The large tree before you, and the others like it around the pavilion, are Kentucky Coffeetrees. These trees are part of the pea family Fabaceae, like red buds, and are renowned for their seed pods that ripen in early autumn. Poisonous when raw, these seeds were roasted to neutralize their toxicity and brewed in water by early European settlers for a cheaper, local version of "coffee" (even though the seeds don't contain any caffeine).
Kentucky Coffeetrees grow very tall, and they are unique in many ways. Beyond just their brown-purple legume fruit pods, these trees have contorting branching, distinct bark, and large leaves made up of many smaller leaflets. They also have very colorful foliage, from a pink-bronze in spring to a bright yellow in autumn.
Erected by Shepherdstown Community Club.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Anthropology & Archaeology • Horticulture & Forestry.
Location. 39° 25.31′ N, 77° 49.281′ W. Marker is in Shepherdstown, West Virginia, in Jefferson County. It can be reached from the intersection of Kearneysville
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in the Washington Metropolitan Area and in the Eastern Panhandle. 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 and also the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Fountain Rock (a few steps from this marker); Shepherdstown Rally Point (a few steps from this marker); The Spring House (within shouting distance of this marker); Morgan's Grove Park - A Witness to History (within shouting distance of this marker); Welcome to Historic Elmwood Cemetery (approx. 0.6 miles away); Elmwood Cemetery (approx. 0.7 miles away); Elmwood Cemetery Vault
Another marker is no longer nearby. The Spirit of 1775 (was approx. 0.4 miles away but has been confirmed missing).
Credits. This page was last revised on April 1, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 1, 2025, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 99 times since then and 9 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 1, 2025, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
