Liberty Courthouse Oak

Historical Period: Republic of Texas (1836-1845)
Historical Topic: County Courthouses, Frontier Settlements
Species: Live Oak (Quercus virginiana)
County: Liberty
Public Access: Yes

This beautiful oak tree has long graced the plaza of Liberty, one of the state’s oldest towns, standing beside seven courthouses and observing the activities of two Presidents of the Republic of Texas.

In 1831, from its location on the northeast corner of the Mexican Plaza de Casa Consistorial, it presided over an election that named this area Villa de la Santissima Trinidad de Las Libertad—Town of the Most Holy Trinity of Liberty. Five years later, the tree witnessed David G. Burnet, a local lawyer who practiced at the courthouse, as he went off to fulfill his duties as ad interim President of newly independent Republic of Texas. General Sam Houston and William B. Travis also had law offices on the square and Stephen F. Austin was known to visit the area. Over the years, the Liberty square was the site of numerous political stump speeches.

Successfully reconciling past loyalties, the plaza and courthouse are on Sam Houston Avenue, a block away on either side are streets still named for their old Mexican Leaders: Santa Anna and Cos. 

The tree is on the NE corner of the courthouse square at Main Street and Trinity Avenue, Liberty.