Slidell in St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana — The American South (West South Central)

The Whiskey Tree

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, March 31, 2026

1. The Whiskey Tree Marker

Inscription. At the height of Prohibition, deep in the curving, muddy waters of the swamp was the secret meeting place known by moonshiners simply as the Whiskey Tree. With no roads to reach it and far from the grasp of any officials, you can vividly imagine small numbers of pirogues and round bottom boats gathering under the branches of the bald cypress tree late into the night. While not much may have been said, the bond each moonshiner shared was well understood coupled with the mutual desire to stay one step ahead of the law. These stories have been passed on from generation to generation and even today as you travel to the Whiskey Tree, you may hear faint whispers around the bend along with wakes of departing boats as they share a smile and wink, each heading towards whatever venture lies ahead.

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

Location. 30° 13.909′ N, 89° 40.221′ W. Marker is in Slidell, Louisiana, in St. Tammany Parish. It is on U.S. 90 0.6 miles east of U.S. 190. The marker is on the boardwalk behind the visitors center for the Cajun Encounters tour company. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 55345 US-90, Slidell LA 70461, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Florida Parishes

and in Greater New Orleans.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

and on the Gulf Coast.

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 territory of the Mississippian Culture,

the Louisiana Purchase,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 7 miles of this

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

marker, measured as the crow flies: Indian Village (approx. 1.9 miles away); Logtown Cemetery and Possum Walk (approx. 4.4 miles away in Mississippi); Logtown (approx. 4½ miles away in Mississippi); Original Lone Star Republic (approx. 5.3 miles away); Jay W. Hosty (approx. 6.1 miles away); Lunar Lander (approx. 6.8 miles away in Mississippi); Infinity Eagle (approx. 6.8 miles away in Mississippi); Tsunami Buoy (approx. 6.8 miles away in Mississippi). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Slidell.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Fort Pike (was approx. 6 miles away but has been permanently removed).

Also see . . . The Enigmatic Whiskey Tree of Pearl River Swamp. From the Cajun Encounters website.

Excerpt: "Many who visit the Whiskey Tree claim to see faint carvings etched into its weathered bark, sparking curiosity and debate among locals and visitors alike. These markings, often described as cryptic symbols or simple patterns, are believed by some to have been created by bootleggers as secret codes to communicate with one another during the height of Prohibition. Supporters of this theory suggest that the carvings acted as a hidden language, conveying vital information about meeting times, safe routes, or whiskey stashes. While skeptics dismiss the marks as natural
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, March 31, 2026

2. The Whiskey Tree Marker
scars caused by time, weather, or wildlife, others firmly believe they are deliberate remnants of a bygone era."

(Submitted on April 8, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

The Whiskey Tree Marker at Cajun Encounters image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, March 31, 2026

3. The Whiskey Tree Marker at Cajun Encounters

The Whiskey Tree on the Pearl River image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, March 31, 2026

4. The Whiskey Tree on the Pearl River

The purported Whiskey Tree is, according to tour guides, the bare tree on the left side of this photo. The U.S. 90 vertical-lift bridge over the river is on the right side.

Credits. This page was last revised on April 8, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 7, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 55 times since then. Photos: 1. submitted on April 7, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. 2, 3, 4. submitted on April 8, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.