Mighty live oak reminds residents of the past

Missouri City's Freedom Tree has become a long-standing symbol of the city's beginnings as well as the inherent liberties enjoyed by all Americans today.

The Freedom Tree sits on the former Palmer Plantation site, which was purchased by Judge Edward Palmer in 1860. Palmer died in 1862 followed by his wife's death three years later, according to city records. The plantation was left to the Palmer's 14-year-old daughter, Bettie. Slaves worked the land until 1865 when the Civil War came to an end and slavery was abolished in the U.S.

Following the war, slavery was officially put to an end in Texas after Gordon Granger, Union commander of the Department of Texas, arrived in Galveston on June 19, 1865 and pronounced the institution of slavery in Texas to be dead. Granger's proclamation led to the state's "Juneteenth" celebrations held each year.

After Granger's proclamation, Ed Gibbs, the head slave at the Palmer Plantation, along with the white overseer gathered the other workers around the Freedom Tree one summer morning to announce that they were all now free. Several of the former slaves learned of their freedom for the first time, and some decided to stay on to work the plantation for a share of the crops, according to "Historic Fort Bend: An Illustrated History" by Andrea Guy Halat.

"My great-great-great grandfather, Ed Gibbs, was a slave who drove the carriage for Judge Palmer and was the leader of all the others who worked at the plantation," Missouri City resident C.W. Gibbs said. "My great-great-great grandfather decided to stay and live on the property, and the family has prospered."

The Freedom Tree, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Trees, has been an important part of Missouri City not only to remember the history of the area, but also to provide residents with a distinctive park space. Freedom Tree Park is on Misty Hollow Drive between Glenn Lakes and Lake Olympia boulevards in Missouri City.

The more than 200-year-old live oak tree is the focus of Freedom Tree Park, which was developed by the city to feature open space and an outdoor classroom.

"Residents asked us to develop this park because they recognize its historical significance," Missouri City forester Paul Wierzbicki said. "Almost five years ago, we were fortunate to add new trees to the park thanks to a donation from Home Depot and the Houston–Galveston Area Council. These trees have grown significantly over the years as we have worked hard to make Freedom Tree Park a special destination for citizens from around the city and beyond."

Sources: City of Missouri City, "Historic Fort Bend County: An Illustrated History" by Andrea Guy-Halat