Trail Marker Trees — What’s Old is New

Appeared in the Gazette: Spring 2010 (Updated 9-2020)

Have you ever thought about a Winnetka before navigation systems, MapQuest, street signs, paved roads, brick roads, dirt roads or any roads at all? When the area we call Winnetka had nothing but footpaths, how did the inhabitants know where to turn for medicinal plants, ceremonial sites or fresh water?

The original Green Bay Trail was likely blazed by wooly mammoths (see the article “G” is for Green Bay Trail). Mammoths could use their heightened sense of smell to find their way; Native American travelers developed a system of Trail Marker Trees to assist them in navigation.

The last remaining Indian Trail Tree in Winnetka, removed in 1984.

The last remaining Indian Trail Tree in Winnetka, removed in 1984.

Researcher Dennis Downes was introduced to the Trail Marker Trees as a young boy; his interest was piqued through contacts on the North Shore, especially in Winnetka. He has spent nearly 30 years of his adult life locating, documenting, and educating others about these historical icons. According to Downes, the Trail Marker Trees “were part of an extensive land navigation system in our country that already was in place long before the arrival of the first European settlers. While the Native Americans had a widespread trail system in place, the Trail Marker Trees served as exit signs off of these routes bringing them to areas of specific interest and then directing them back to the main route, much like the exit signs off of our major interstates today.”

Downes, one of the nation’s leading experts on Trail Marker Trees, has researched across the country with Native American experts, local historians, arborists, horticulturalists, and forest service personnel. Downes is continuing his work on these special trees—new and old. In addition to his Trail Marker Tree Exhibit held annually at the Grove Redfield Center, he has completed a book detailing the history behind these special signs from the past. He is also a noted sculptor, with several pieces installed in the Chicago area.

Downes stresses Native Americans’ need to distinguish between Trail Marker Trees and trees deformed by nature. He states, “The different shapes of these Trail Marker Trees were distinct in their appearance, and always followed some specific guidelines.”

The trees they used were young hardwoods, usually oaks, because they were flexible enough to be bent and would then keep that shape permanently.

Examples of these trees have been found all across the United States. Hundreds of years ago, Trail Marker Trees were prevalent throughout the North Shore.

Winnetka’s most prominent example was a white oak located on Fuller Lane. This “double trunk” tree was one of the most well-documented of Winnetka’s trail marker trees. When it rotted and was removed in 1984, the Historical Society was given the plaque that had marked its location. In 2016, the Cadigan family planted a white oak tree on the north side of their driveway to replace the historic trail marker tree!

In addition, the Winnetka Park District added three unique oak trees to sites around Winnetka. These trees are bent in a manner similar to the Fuller Lane tree. The planting and shaping was made possible through the collaboration of the Winnetka Historical Society, the Winnetka Park District Superintendent Robert Smith; longtime resident Joe Fell and Downes. The Trail Marker Trees can be seen at Hill Park just north of the Indian Hill Train Station, in Indian Hill Park near the playground, and in the Crow Island Woods in front of the Schmidt-Burnham Log House. Patti Van Cleave, the executive director of the Winnetka Historical Society said, “We are so pleased to be a part of this project, as it will allow future generations to be aware of those that inhabited the area long ago.” There is another trail marker tree in front of the Winnetka Historical Society on 411 Linden Street planted in memory of Steve Adams.

To learn more about Dennis Downes and the Great Lakes Trail Marker Tree Society visit the link here… http://www.greatlakestrailtreesociety.org/trail_tree_about.html

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8 Responses to “Trail Marker Trees — What’s Old is New”

  1. September 12, 2017 at 7:33 PM #

    We have one of these trees in our front yard in Winnetka at 1457 Asbury Avenue, so I’m not sure how the one removed in 1984 could be the last? Ours is still standing.

  2. Beth Mulhern September 14, 2017 at 6:51 PM #

    Thank you for your comment. We would like to learn more. Please contact us at whsadmin@winnetkahistory.org. We look forward to hearing from you.

  3. September 21, 2017 at 2:20 PM #

    Yes, isn’t the giant oak in Merrill Park (intersection of Asbury / Gordon Terrace / Merrill) one of these trees?

  4. January 5, 2021 at 5:48 AM #

    Doesn’t look like an Indian Marker Tree. It’s a lovely old tree though. You mean the one by the sign right?

  5. January 5, 2021 at 2:04 PM #

    Thank you for your comment. The tree pictured in this article was indeed a Native trail marker tree, but unfortunately had to be taken down due to disease. You can read more about trail marker trees on expert Dennis Downes’ website! http://www.greatlakestrailtreesociety.org/

  6. Dennis Downes September 27, 2022 at 1:24 PM #

    Thank you for the thoughtful article
    Dennis Downes

  7. Dennis Downes September 27, 2022 at 1:31 PM #

    Thanks for the kind words on the trail marker trees I have shaped and tended for all these years. Robert Smith executive director of the park department was great to work with.
    Winnetka had a great deal to do with the saving of trail marker trees, I believe I have proven that to the country in over 150 lectures and exhibits across the country.
    Thanks again

Trackbacks/Pingbacks

  1. Road Trip to Grant – Michigan Daily News - October 11, 2020

    […] We went for a walk at Wahlfield Park and came across this bent tree. It reminded me of the Trail Marker Trees that Native Americans used to mark trails north of Chicago where I grew up. […]

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