Quanah Parker Comanche Marker Trees

Pecan, Carya illinoinensis

The Story

Not all Comanche Marker Trees are old or bent…some were recently planted. Continuing the marker tree tradition, two Pecan trees planted in Quanah, Texas were declared to be Comanche Marker Trees. On September 25th, 2020, one Pecan was planted across the street from the Hardeman County Historical Museum in the Heritage Park and another one was planted at the Medicine Mound Museum. The Hardeman Museum contains artifacts and information related to Comanche Chief Quanah Parker and the Kwahadi band of Comanches.

Mr. Ron Parker (1944-2022) wanted to plant and bend the two trees as an educational opportunity for Comanche Marker Trees. They are also meant to serve as a reminder regarding the importance of the two locations, and to be cultural artifacts for future generations to enjoy. Mr. Parker founded and administered the Quanah Parker Society to promote the history and cultures of the Comanche people and the settlers who founded Quanah. “The Society’s mission is to educate, heal, unite, and grow communities who share or are invested in the history and lineages of the Comanche people, the role of the Quanah, Texas area and the courageous settlers who came with a vision and intention to create Quanah.”

The Quanah Parker Society website provides information about Quanah and his mother: Quanah Parker Day | Second Saturday in September.

For information about the City of Quanah: This is the Official site of the City of Quanah.

The Medicine Mounds are a few miles southeast of Quanah, Texas. There are four mounds, two of which are considered sacred by the Comanche. Medicine Mound is the tallest, approximately 300 feet tall. The next tallest is Cedar Mound which is named after the Cedars that grow on and near the site. The mounds provided medicinal plants, many of which could not be found in other nearby areas. They were also used for vision quests which are rituals to communicate with nature and the Great Creator or the spiritual world. The Medicine Mound Museum is just east of the mounds and houses many historic artifacts related to the Comanche.

Both plantings included a cedar blessing and drum music. Over time, both trees will be bent in a traditional Comanche way and point to significant locations. The tree in Quanah will point toward the Medicine Mounds as a source for food and medicine. The tree planted at the Medicine Mound Museum will point in the direction of a trail previously traveled by the Comanche, slightly east of Quanah.