The Cross Timbers Plaque stands tall, a silent sentinel of history. Right here in Dallas, its bronze face reflects the sun, and the words etched into its surface whisper stories of a bygone era. It’s a tribute to the Cross Timbers, a region that once stretched from southeastern Kansas through central Oklahoma to central Texas.
The plaque marks the western edge of this remarkable land, a place where prairie, savanna, and woodland intertwined, forming a unique and diverse ecosystem. The Cross Timbers were a natural barrier for early American explorers and travelers, a dense and challenging landscape that Washington Irving described as “like struggling through forests of cast iron.”
Today, the Cross Timbers are a cherished part of the Texas landscape, a place of beauty and ecological significance. They are home to a rich variety of plant and animal life, including some of the oldest and most diverse oak species in the United States. This marker stands as a testament to the history, culture, and natural beauty of this remarkable region.
As you stand here before the Cross Timbers Plaque, imagine the pioneers who crossed this land, the Native Americans who called it home, and the wildlife that still thrives in its forests and prairies. Let the plaque’s stories and the silent whispers of the past transport you back in time.