Ross Oak

Historical Period: Republic of Texas (1836-1845)

Species: Live Oak (Quercus virginiana)

Public Access: No

For years this magnificent tree has been quietly biding its time on a city-owned lot near downtown Waco. At present, it stands at the back of a small house. A brick wall and chain-link fencing surround it, and the tree’s wide, spreading limbs reach out and over, as if trying to sneak a peek at what’s on the other side. But the ancient Ross Oak has already seen many of the city’s highlights, beginning with the overnight stay of one man—Shapley Prince Ross.

In 1849 Capt. Shapley Ross of the Texas Rangers was offered four lots by Waco Village founders, along with ferry rights on the Brazos River; he later launched the first ferry boat in the Brazos at Waco.

Ross and his family initially traveled to the area with several others and reportedly camped on the Brazos River under a large live oak tree. The first house constructed there was for the Ross family; built of pin and post oak, mud, cedar sticks, and rawhide, it would become the foundation of Waco.

The Ross family was influential in both local and state history. Shapley Ross built the area’s first hotel on Bridge Street, and his fourth son, Gen. Lawrence Sullivan “Sul” Ross, also became a Texas Ranger. During the Battle of Pease River in 1860 Sul Ross recaptured Cynthia

Ann Parker, who had been taken 24 years earlier by the Comanche. He was also elected 19th governor of Texas and in 1890 was named president of the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas (Texas A&M University).