Thomas Cree Homesite
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. (1980)
35.3106° N, 101.4615° W
Where to Find It
From Panhandle, 5.7 mi. SW on US 60, S side of eastbound lanes, 0.5 mi. W of CR J
Nearby Markers
- <0.1 mi W First Tree Texas High Plains Panhandle
- <0.1 mi N The 33rd Anniversary National Convention Panhandle
- 5.1 mi NE Oldest Bank in the Texas Panhandle Panhandle
- 5.1 mi NE Texas Panhandle Pioneers - John F. Weatherlys Family Panhandle
- 5.1 mi NE Callaghan Memorial Library Panhandle
- 5.1 mi NE Carson County Panhandle