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The old Bradshaw Tree was an Osage Orange planted over a century ago. It stood in front of the Plaza Motel, 1237 S. Broadway, Wichita, Kansas. It was a loved landmark of South Wichita for generations. The tree was unique in that it did not bear fruit and was officially designated as the Bradshaw variety. It has many descendants grown from cuttings taken from its branches. For many years there were two signs placed on either side of it. They disappeared when the motel was closed and boarded up. While some of the text of the signs was less than accurate, it gives us some valuable information about the history of the tree. One sign read: "This is the largest Osage Orange tree in the US. Ten ft. in circumference, 60 ft. high. Named after the Osage Indians. They made their bows and arrows from the wood of the Osage Orange tree. This rugged and historic tree is about the only live marker left on the old Chisholm Trail over which 3,000,000 head of longhorn cattle were driven from 1865 to 1870. The tree was planted by George Andrew Bradshaw who passed away in 1893." The other read: "This is one of the largest and most rugged hedge trees in the US. Sixty ft. high, 9 ft. 2 inches in circumference. The tree was planted by George Andrew Bradshaw who passed away in 1893. Stands in front of the Plaza Court Motel 1237 S Broadway.... In almost the geographical center of the US on the old Chisholm Trail NOW highway 81 over which a million head of cattle were driven during the 5 year period following 1893." Although the Chisholm Trail was west of the river at this point and certainly no Texas Longhorns used the trail as late as 1893, the creative use of history by the motel’s manager to promote his business, in itself made the tree worth saving. With demolition of the old Plaza Motel however, the tree was taken down. But that is not the end of the story. The trunk was taken to the Sedgwick County Zoo and placed in the outdoor monkey exhibit where today it can still be viewed and is throughly enjoyed by the monkeys. |
