Following the Civil War, General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston on June 19, 1865 and officially put an end to slavery in Texas. General Granger’s proclamation formed the basis for what are the annual “Juneteenth” festivities, which celebrate the end of slavery in Texas.
On an early summer day, the white overseer and Ed Gibbs, who had been the personal driver for Judge Palmer as well as leader of the slaves on the Palmer Plantation, gathered all of the workers together under the branches of this tree to explain that they were free. He further announced that planting and cultivation would continue and that they were welcome to stay on the Palmer land to live and work if they choose. The only type of wages they would receive would be a share of their crop.
It was in this light that slavery ended on the Palmer land beneath the spreading boughs of “The Freedom Tree”.
Amenities
- Historic live oak
- Overlook deck