Historical Period: 20th Century (1900 & Later)
Historical Topic: Odds & Ends
Species: Live Oak (Quercus virginiana)
County: Gillespie
Public Access: Yes, the Cabinet Oak can be seen in front of the Texas White House at LBJ Historic Park near Stonewall.
Known as the Texas White House, the LBJ Ranch House, home of President Lyndon B. Johnson, was a center of political activity for more than 20 years. President Johnson was the first president to create a functioning White House away from Washington, and leaders from around the world visited the president and Lady Bird Johnson here.
The original home, built of native limestone in 1894 by a German immigrant, was purchased in 1909 by the president’s aunt and uncle who then added the main central portion of the home. The Johnsons bought the home from Lyndon’s aunt in 1951 and converted the original section to his office.
Gracing the lawn in front of the office door, stands the Cabinet Oak. The president liked to hold his staff meetings under the live oak and discuss the issues of the day.
“It was always Lyndon’s favorite time, particularly around sunset, from the earliest spring until cold weather drove us in,” recalled Mrs. Johnson. “And we have lots of interesting pictures in this front yard . . . even in December, there are mild days, and frequently a part of that would be here.” The stately Cabinet Oak: witness to the white House and refuge of a president