When Karen Wright was a teacher, one of her lesson plans was about the history of Native Americans.Wright was a teacher in the Warren County R-III School District for 21 years. She taught at Daniel Boone Elementary for three years and spent 18 years teaching fifth grade at Rebecca Boone Elementary.While teaching about Native Americans, she gained an interest in learning more about Native Americans in Warren County.Now retired, that interest has continued. She has a special interest in bent oak trees, aka trail marker trees, because of their purpose. As Native Americans traveled, they bent saplings along trails to direct others to important locations, like towns, fresh water, caves, salt, etc. Just like any other map, the tree’s markings needed to be read.Wright is presenting “Stands Tall, Points the Way: The American Indian Trail Marking Tree” from 6 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 26, at the Warren County Historical Society and Museum, 102 W. Walton St. in Warrenton. Her presentation is in cooperation with the History Museum and the Scenic Regional Library Warrenton Branch.She said her presentation will include photographs, a brief history lesson and information about the historic trees that have their own stories to tell.“I hope people will come to learn about the American Indian history of Warren County,” Wright said.At one time trail marking trees were common. They were destroyed as communities were built. The trees that are left are likely to be found in less populated areas.“There are just a few out this way,” Wright said, adding that two have died.She said how long they live depends on how well they are treated by humans and Mother Nature. Age is another factor.“The youngest trail marking trees would have to be at least 200 years old,” said Wright. “The original trees are dying off. They’re only going to last so long.”Because some trail marking trees in Warren County have fared better than others, Wright had concerns when she heard a big development was planned near a trail marker tree sitting between Veterans Memorial Parkway and Interstate 70 just west of Highway 47.That tree was likely shaped by members of the Osage tribe more than two centuries ago.But rather than destroy the tree, the developer, Schnucks, has sought to preserve it. The development under construction will be named Bent Oak Plaza.“It looks like (the bent oak there is) going to make it,” Wright said.To reserve a spot at Wright’s presentation, call 636-456-3321.

This tree is the namesake of a new shopping center under construction on Veteran's Memorial Parkway near Highway 47 in Warrenton. Schnucks is the anchor of the shopping center, which will be called Bent Oak Plaza. The tree is the subject of a presentation at the Warren County Historical Society and Museum June 26. 

Submitted photo