Old Flag Tree was 'source of wonder' to Alabama travelers in 19th Century

Old Flag Tree marker on Old Town Church Road.

My son James, who just turned 11 last month, got up early and came to work with me on Wednesday of last week. About halfway through the day, I could tell he was getting bored sitting around the office, so we went on a short little field trip. I pulled out of the parking space in front of the office and pointed my truck down U.S. Highway 84 in the direction of Old Town.

We eventually turned left onto Old Town Church Road and eased down to the Old Flag Tree marker, which is on the west side of the dirt road. We pulled over for a closer look and talked about the history of the site. Those of you who have been there will know that the marker says, “SITE OF OLD FLAG TREE, INDIAN VILLAGE AND BATTLEGROUND ON OLD SPARTA ROAD.”

On the way back to the office, we took a roundabout way that led us down Lizard Lope Road, the J.P. Howard Road and the Brooklyn Road. James eventually put his seat back, covered his eyes with his ballcap and settled in for a nap. I had the radio on low, and my thoughts drifted back to the Old Flag Tree.

I remember reading years ago in B.F. Riley’s 1881 book, “History of Conecuh County,” that a large number of Indians once lived in the vicinity of Old Town, and it was located on a trail that ran from Pensacola to the Chattahoochee River.

“It is supposed, from its original size and apparent importance, to have been the headquarters of some of the tribes,” Riley wrote. “Here was an extensive community, with all the evidences of having been for a long period occupied. The huts, the patches of ground, the extensive play-grounds and the order in which they were kept, the marks on the trees, the neighboring streams, and the cool, perennial spring, which bursts from amid the hills near the old camp-ground - all these would indicate that it was a point of unusual importance with the native inhabitants.”

Riley went on to say that the “chief object of attraction” to early white settlers of the area was the “memorable tree” that was known as the Old Flag Tree. Riley indicated that this tree was still standing in 1881 and was a “source of wonder” to passersby.

“Its name is derived from the banner-like shape of its branches at the top,” Riley wrote. “For six or eight feet the trunk is utterly bare of branches, when they assume the shape of a flag by growing in a single direction. There was a tradition among the early white settlers to the effect that this towering tree was a signal to the Indian traders passing from the Chattahoochee to Pensacola, as it was to all the bands prowling through the country.”

Taking all of this into account, we’re left with a number of questions. Chiefly, where exactly was the Old Flag Tree located? Most agree that it was not located exactly where the historical marker is today on Old Town Road. In fact, if you look at historical maps published by the University of Alabama’s Department of Geography, those maps indicate that the Old Flag Tree was actually located a significant distance east of Old Town Road.

Also, what happened to the tree? Did someone cut it down? Did it get struck by lightning or topple over in a storm? If so, when did this happen?

In the end, let me hear from you if you know anything more about the Old Flag Tree and its history. Also I’d be interested in hearing from anyone with information about the Indian village and battle that took place in that area.