Historical Period: Texas Revolution (1835-1836)
Historical Topic: Stephen F. Austin, Texas Independence
Species: Live Oak (Quercus virginiana)
County: Bexar
Public Access: No
Near the east bank of Salado Creek at a point midway between two of the most important early roads in Texas (the Goliad Road and the Gonzales Road) stands an ancient live oak whose branches may well have felt the brush of Mexican and Spanish leather and the sting of rifle balls and canister during Texas’ struggle for independence. It was certainly witness to many historic events.
In October 1835, the newly formed Texas Army, under the command of Stephen F. Austin, camped on Salado Creek, a few miles east of Béxar (present-day San Antonio), to await reinforcements. This camp is believed to have been less than a mile from the well-travelled Gonzales Road, near the Burnt Oak.
Beneath the spreading limbs of this tree one can almost smell the cook fires and the sweat of men and horses as they rushed to meet their foes in Texas’ struggle for independence.