Near Panhandle in Carson County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Thomas Cree Homesite

First Tree

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, May 2, 2012

1. Thomas Cree Homesite Marker

Inscription. After serving as a teamster in the Civil War (1861-65), Thadium (Thomas) B. Cree worked for the Union Pacific Railroad. In 1888 he and his wife came to the High Plains. They acquired this land and, with no trees for lumber, they built a dugout home. Cree traveled 35 miles at his wife's request to find a sapling and planted it here. He watered it from a nearby lake that he dug from a buffalo wallow. The tree never grew but lived many years despite blizzard, heat, and drought. Gov. John Connally dedicated an historical marker in 1963 to the first tree in the Panhandle.

Erected 1980 by State Historical Survey Committee. (Marker Number 5467.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Historic Trees series list. A significant historical date for this entry is June 14, 2011.

Location. 35° 18.638′ N, 101° 27.687′ W. Marker is near Panhandle, Texas, in Carson County. It is on U.S. 60 4.9 miles west of Texas Highway 207, on the left when traveling west. Marker is in the center, on a post with two other markers. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Panhandle TX 79068, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on the Texas Panhandle.

It is also on the American Great Plains

and specifically on the Southern Plains.

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 Comanchería,

the Dust Bowl,

the Republic of Texas,

and one of the Confederate States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: 33rd Anniversary National Convention (here, next to this

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marker); First Tree Texas High Plains (here, next to this marker); Quanah Parker Trail (approx. 5 miles away); Oldest Bank in the Texas Panhandle (approx. 5.1 miles away); The John F. Weatherlys (approx. 5.1 miles away); Callaghan Memorial Library (approx. 5.1 miles away); Old County Bookmobile (approx. 5.1 miles away); Carson County (approx. 5.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Panhandle.

Thomas Cree Homesite Marker <i>is in the center</i> image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, May 2, 2012

2. Thomas Cree Homesite Marker is in the center

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, May 2, 2012

3. Thomas Cree Homesite Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on November 29, 2024. It was originally submitted on June 3, 2012, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 1,879 times since then and 53 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 3, 2012, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.