ADAMS STREET OAK TREE

The famous Adams Street oak tree in the foreground of Lee Harless' sketch frames three antebellum homes, the Smith Academy-Dilworth home (ca. 1854), the Smith-Luther home (ca. 1850), and the Banister-Lowry home (ca. 1859).

The stately old oak stood on the east side of Adams Avenue slightly north of the driveway of the Adams-Sutton home. The tree stood majestically in the street, shading both sides equally and calling attention to all approaching motorists - gaining their respect - for it never lost a decision to a car.

One of Huntsville's most memorable landmarks, it became necessary for the city to have it removed due to its age and inner deterioration. When it was cut down, it was revealed to be a tree of real history having two hundred one rings, which means that the tree first grew in 1755. It witnessed many important events; Alabama becoming a state, Adams Avenue's occupation by Federal troops, and the phenomenal growth of our city from that period until 1965. We miss it - it was a thing of beauty.

Jessie Eleanor Dilworth Adams Street