The Oliver Pecan
Junction, Kimble County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Young P. Oliver (1857-1925) came to this area in 1876 from his native Guadalupe County. In 1896, Oliver purchased this section (640 acres) of land, on which grew hundreds of pecan trees, and became a pioneer in the pecan industry. The grove contained "Old Oliver", a giant tree which produced 350-400 pounds of soft-shelled nuts per year; 800 pounds in 1906. By grafting buds from "Old Oliver" on seedlings from its pecan strain, the well-known Oliver pecan strain was developed. A flood in 1935 destroyed the tree, but its pecans are still produced commercially. Nut harvesting is a major Kimble County industry.
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Young P. Oliver came to Kimble County in 1876 and in 1896 bought a 640-acre section thick with native pecan trees, becoming a pioneer of the Texas pecan industry. One giant tree he called "Old Oliver" yielded hundreds of pounds of soft-shelled nuts a year, and by grafting its buds onto seedlings he developed the well-known Oliver pecan strain. A 1935 flood destroyed the parent tree, but its descendants still bear fruit commercially in a county where nut harvesting remains a major industry.
Why it matters
Oliver's grafting work turned a wild grove into a cultivated variety, a small but telling example of the American knack for building an industry out of native abundance.
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