The Old Cottonwood Tree

from the Kentucky Post of June 18, 1910: “At a meeting of the Dayton Men's Club last night a communication was received from the Monday Culture Club requesting that some action be taken to preserve a large cottonwood tree that is located at the corner of Sixth and McKinney-st. in Dayton.”

“The tree, which is a big one, is a landmark of the town and several of the oldest inhabitants state that it was there as long as they can remember. A movement is on foot to make the lot in which the tree stands a park and the owner of the lot has made an offer to the people back of the movement that he will give them the property for the amount of back taxes and the sewer and street assessments.”

“This is meeting with the favor of the citizens and as a start to raise a nucleus for the fund to pay this, the Men's Club will give a lawn fete under the tree on June 30.  This was decided by unanimous vote by the Men's Club and the plan will be carried right along from now on, as the lot as it now stands is an eyesore to the city.  It is a great spot for lawn fetes.”

from the Kentucky Post of February 13, 1913.  “The mammoth cottonwood trees along sixth-av. that have been landmarks of Dayton for more than half century, are being cut down in order to make room for the improvement of the street with brick early this spring.  A number of citizens have entered a vigorous protest and threaten action against the city.”

from the Kentucky Times Star, April 8, 1919  “The old cottonwood tree in Dayton, Ky. is doomed.  Under its broad shading limbs, men, who are now gray from age, played as boys.  The property on which it is located was donated by the owner for public park purposes, and abandoned as such.  Now the old tree, its long extending branches slowly decaying, rocks and shakes alarmingly in every wind, excited fear among residents in the vicinity of Sixth and McKinley streets, where it stands.  A petition to the Board of Council of Dayton to have the tree cut down was acted upon affirmatively, and the chief of police was instructed to see that it is removed.”

from the Kentucky Times Star, April 17, 1919  “The city of Dayton (Ky) is shortly to lose one of its oldest landmarks - a large cottonwood tree that has stood like a sentinel at the corner of Sixth and McKinley streets, from the pioneer days when Sixth street was a country road stretching from Newport to the old settlement of "Jamestown," as Dayton was originally called, when only a few scattering houses lined the road, and corn fields extended for miles along the rich bottom lands between the hills and the river. The tree was struck by lightening some years ago and a portion of it was killed.  Recently a petition was presented to Council for its removal, an this has been so ordered.”