Columbus in Colorado County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

District Court Tree

Photographed By Gregory Walker, February 5, 2010

1. District Court Tree Marker

Inscription. In 1837 this oak sheltered Texas jurors. Courthouse was unfinished because logs coming down-river for building had swept past in strong current. R. M. Williamson, presiding, was called "Three-legged Willie" due to appearance: he had good leg, crippled leg, and wooden leg.

Erected 1969 by State Historical Survey Committee. (Marker Number 1231.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Law Enforcement • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Historic Trees series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1837.

Location. 29° 42.371′ N, 96° 32.357′ W. Marker is in Columbus, Texas, in Colorado County. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1100 Travis Street, Columbus TX 78934, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Columbus Oak (here, next to this marker); 1890 Cornerstone Ceremony (within shouting distance of this marker); William Menefee (within shouting distance of this marker); Early Site of Doctor Logue's Drugstore (within shouting distance of this marker); Colorado County War Memorial (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Stage Lines Through Columbus (about 300

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feet away); Colorado County (about 300 feet away); Tumlinson Family (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Columbus.

Also see . . . Columbus Court Oak at Famous Trees of Texas. The Famous Trees of Texas web site tells why court was held under this tree after the Texas Revolution and gives an example of "frontier justice" from Three-Legged Willie. (Submitted on April 24, 2010, by Gregory Walker of La Grange, Texas.)

District Court Tree and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Gregory Walker, February 5, 2010

2. District Court Tree and Marker

Photographed By Richard Denney, January 24, 2010

3. Mayes Hotel

The Mayes Hotel sits just across the street from the old oak. Historic marker visible in foreground.

Nearby Columbus Oak Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Richard Denney, January 24, 2010

4. Nearby Columbus Oak Marker

Photographed By Jim Evans, September 1, 2014

5. District Court Tree Marker

Marker left of center in picture

Credits. This page was last revised on May 19, 2021. It was originally submitted on March 19, 2010, by Gregory Walker of La Grange, Texas. This page has been viewed 1,166 times since then and 42 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 19, 2010, by Gregory Walker of La Grange, Texas. 3, 4. submitted on April 21, 2010, by Richard Denney of Austin, Texas. 5. submitted on September 5, 2014, by Jim Evans of Houston, Texas. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.