Big Tree Park, the Oldest and Largest Cypress Tree in U.S.A. Postcard
Dublin Core
Title
Big Tree Park, the Oldest and Largest Cypress Tree in U.S.A. Postcard
Alternative Title
Big Tree Park Postcard
Subject
Longwood (Fla.)
Parks--Florida
Description
A photographic postcard featuring The Senator, the giant bald cypress tree that was once the oldest and largest cypress tree in the country. At the time that the photograph was taken, The Senator was 3,500 yers old, 126 feet and 3 inches tall, and 47 feet in circumference.
As early as the late 1800s, this centuries-old tree was considered a tourist attraction, but it wasn't until 1927 that a park was established around the tree. Senator Moses O. Overstreet donated six acres of land, which included the tree, to Seminole County to establish a park with the stipulation that a road would be built to take visitors into the park. The generosity of Sen. Overstreet inspired residents to name the giant cypress tree "The Senator."
Located at 761 General Hutchinson Parkway in present-day Longwood, Florida, the new park was named the Seminole Big Tree Park in honor of the main attraction. In 1929, President Calvin Coolidge (1872-1933) dedicated a bronze plaque at the site of the tree. The plaque was stolen in 1945, which would place this photograph sometime between 1940 and 1945. Based on a core sample taken by the American Forestry Association, The Senator was estimated to be 3500 years old in 1946. The Big Tree Park also features another giant cypress estimated to be 2000 years old. In 2005, local elementary students named the tree Lady Liberty. It was considered to be the companion tree to The Senator, as they were only 40 feet apart. The Senator continued to be a tourist attraction and local landmark until January 16, 2012, when it was lost in a fire.
As early as the late 1800s, this centuries-old tree was considered a tourist attraction, but it wasn't until 1927 that a park was established around the tree. Senator Moses O. Overstreet donated six acres of land, which included the tree, to Seminole County to establish a park with the stipulation that a road would be built to take visitors into the park. The generosity of Sen. Overstreet inspired residents to name the giant cypress tree "The Senator."
Located at 761 General Hutchinson Parkway in present-day Longwood, Florida, the new park was named the Seminole Big Tree Park in honor of the main attraction. In 1929, President Calvin Coolidge (1872-1933) dedicated a bronze plaque at the site of the tree. The plaque was stolen in 1945, which would place this photograph sometime between 1940 and 1945. Based on a core sample taken by the American Forestry Association, The Senator was estimated to be 3500 years old in 1946. The Big Tree Park also features another giant cypress estimated to be 2000 years old. In 2005, local elementary students named the tree Lady Liberty. It was considered to be the companion tree to The Senator, as they were only 40 feet apart. The Senator continued to be a tourist attraction and local landmark until January 16, 2012, when it was lost in a fire.
Abstract
Postcard image of the Big Tree in Sanford. Image depicts the tree with a plaque on the front, surrounded by a fence. Two men, a woman, and a young child can be seen in front of the tree, looking up at it. The caption on the front of the postcard reads, "Big Tree Park. The Oldest and Largest Cypress Tree in U. S. A. 126 ft. 3 in. High. 47 ft. in circumference. 3500 Years Old. Sanford, Seminole County, Florida."
Source
Original 14 x 9 centimeter black and white photographic postcard: "Big Tree Park." Special Collections & University Archives, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida.
Date Created
ca. 1940-1945
Date Copyrighted
2011
Has Format
Digital reproduction of original 14 x 9 centimeter black and white photographic postcard: "Big Tree Park." Tag number DP0008223, Central Florida Memory.
Is Format Of
Original 14 x 9 centimeter black and white photographic postcard: "Big Tree Park."
Is Part Of
Special Collections & University Archives, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida.
Longwood Collection, Seminole County Collection, RICHES of Central Florida.
Format
image/jpg
Extent
199 KB
Medium
14 x 9 centimeter black and white photographic postcard
Language
eng
Type
Still Image
Coverage
Seminole Big Tree Park, Longwood, Florida
Accrual Method
Donation
Mediator
History Teacher
Geography Teacher
Rights Holder
Copyright to this resource is held by Special Collections & University Archives and is provided here by RICHES of Central Florida for educational purposes only.
Contributing Project
Curator
Cepero, Laura
External Reference
"Big Tree Park." Parks and Preservation, Seminole County. http://www.seminolecountyfl.gov/locations/Big-Tree-Park.stml.
Blozan, Will. "The Senator Cypress is Re-elected to Top Position in Eastern Forests." Native Tree Society. http://www.nativetreesociety.org/fieldtrips/florida/senator/senator_cypress.htm.
"The Senator - Florida's Big Tree." Floridata. http://mobile.floridata.com/Plants/Taxodiaceae/Taxodium%20distichum/108.
Central Florida Society for Historical Preservation. Longwood. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2001.
Transcript
[illegible]
BIG TREE PARK. THE OLDEST AND LARGEST CYPRESS TREE IN U.S.A. 126 FT. 3 IN. HIGH. 47 FT. IN CIRCUMFERENCE. 3500 YEARS OLD. SANFORD, SEMINOLE COUNTY, FLORIDA.
BIG TREE PARK. THE OLDEST AND LARGEST CYPRESS TREE IN U.S.A. 126 FT. 3 IN. HIGH. 47 FT. IN CIRCUMFERENCE. 3500 YEARS OLD. SANFORD, SEMINOLE COUNTY, FLORIDA.
Collection
Citation
“Big Tree Park, the Oldest and Largest Cypress Tree in U.S.A. Postcard,” RICHES, accessed December 31, 2024, https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/items/show/5057.