According to the City of Whitewater Public Works Department, on Tuesday morning October 24th the street department will be closing N. Franklin St. for the removal of the Territorial Oak Tree. There will be a hard closure at W Main St. Homes and Fairhaven will be accessible from W Starin Rd. The closure will be removed as soon as work is complete.
The Territorial Oak tree and site are Local Landmarks. The site includes a Bur Oak tree dating to 1800 or before that was used as the fixed point from which U.S. federal land surveyors platted the village of Whitewater in 1836.
Unfortunately the tree has been in decline for a number of years and recently has been deemed to be dying.
The following Banner articles provide further information about the tree.
“Landmark Trek: The territorial burr oak tree and its impending end,” posted September 17, 2023 – This article includes a link to the Landmark Trek video about the tree.
https://whitewaterbanner.com/landmark-trek-the-territorial-burr-oak-tree-and-its-impending-end/
“#FlashbackFriday with the Historical Society: The Territorial Oak,” January 20, 2021
https://whitewaterbanner.com/flashback-friday-with-the-historical-society-the-territorial-oak/
“Territorial Oak Site Designated as Local Landmark,” March 26, 2019
https://whitewaterbanner.com/territorial-oak-site-designated-as-local-landmark/
