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listoric Tree*JAR T.o Mark Famous Iredell TreesRecognition will soon be given Iredell county’s most historic ndmarks—-its trees. The conser-ition committee of Ft. Dobbs hapter, Daughters of the Ameri-m Revolution, Mrs. George Frazer chairman, soon will place ronze plaques on some ol these lore noted trees, which have stood r generations.Mrs. Frazier has been conceding lformation about historic trees 1 the cpunty and her committee /ill place plaques of bronze en-. cribed with the approximate age nd some historic facts on eachwith appropriate ceremonies. First of the trees to be noted are the giant white oaks now standing at the site of the Louis G. Bowles home just off East Broad street.These oaks once stood in the yard of the well-known qstate formerly owned jointly by Dr. J. E. McLaughlin and his brother, R. B. McLaughlin, grandsons of the original owner, John Hart McLaughlin. The age of these giants is not known for a fact but it is ^estimated that they have stood here for over 150 years. The trees are identical except for their sizeand are remarkable for their symmetrical beauty. It is said that they were topped in 1842 when they were supposed to have been one and one-hali or two feet in diameter.In 1941, Frank R. McLaughlin reports, the trees were measured lour aud one-half feet above the ground and the circumference was 17 feet and diameter 9.2 feet, with a spread of 130 feet. The smaller tree measured 7.8 feet in diameter, with a spread of 120 feet.A picture of the larger of the trees was featured in a booklet compiled by the late Dr. Charles E. Raynal called “The Tree Speaks.” Pictures of these trees were also featured in an articie appearing in “Country Life” dated March, 1918, prepared by R. B. McLaughlin.The McLaughlin estate, until recently owned by direct descendants of John Hart McLaughlin, extended from the corporate limits of Statesville, east to the Colonial hickory tree which marked the corner of the three plantations belonging to Col Thomas Allison, Ross Simonton and McLaughin. It contained 250 acres.The stately monarchs, soon to be marked, now add their beauty to the lovely new home of Mr. and Mrs. Bowles.Other trees in this section soon to be described in similiar articles include the famous Smoke tree on the Mitchell college campus; the Post oak on South Center street; the weeping willow on East Front street; the oaks on the Mitchell campus and the cedars in Fourth Creek Burying ground.Mrs. Frazier would like to have any information available regarding historic trees in this vicinity so that due recognition can be given them. The marking of historic trees is another phase of j the work of Daughters of the American Revolution, with emphasis on conserving natural and human resources and preserving historic landmarks.
Newspaper Details
Statesville Daily Record
Statesville, North Carolina, US
Tue, Jul 25, 1950
Page 1
Full Page
Clipped by
Henry R.
USA 16 Apr 2025
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