The Ross Oak
Waco, McLennan County, Texas
Marker Inscription
This large Live Oak tree is named for the Pioneer family of Shapley Prince Ross (1811-89), who camped here overnight while migrating from Missouri in 1839. They returned to this area in 1848,with Ross at the head of a Texas Ranger Company. When Waco was founded in 1849, Ross bought the land around the Oak Tree. He became postmaster, ferryman,and hotel owner in the town. He and wife, Catherine (1812-86), were parents of Robert (b.1848) and Kate (b.1851) Ross, first children born to permanent Anglo-American settlers in this area. Another son, Lawrence Sullivan Ross (1838-98), was governor of Texas, 1887-91)
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Shapley Prince Ross camped beneath this Live Oak in 1839 while migrating from Missouri, then returned in 1848 at the head of a Texas Ranger company. When Waco was founded in 1849 he bought the land around the tree and became the young town's postmaster, ferryman, and hotelkeeper. His children were among the first born to permanent Anglo-American settlers here, and one son, Lawrence Sullivan Ross, went on to serve as governor of Texas from 1887 to 1891.
Why it matters
The tree marks the frontier founding of Waco and the arc of a single family from Ranger-era settlers to the Texas statehouse, a story of how the young republic and state were built one homestead at a time.
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Related people
- · Shapley Prince Ross
- · Catherine Ross
- · Lawrence Sullivan Ross
Themes & tags
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