The Million Dollar Elm was a tree in Pawhuska, Oklahoma, known as the site for the auctioning of oil leases to drill in the Osage Nation. The original tree died in the 1980s, but a new "Million Dollar Elm" tree was planted in 2006.
History edit
The Million Dollar Elm was an elm tree in Pawhuska, Oklahoma.[1] The tree was the site of auctions for oil leases for Osage County, since mineral rights for the county are owned by the Osage Nation.[2] The first auction was held in November 1912 with Colonel Ellsworth Walters serving as the official auctioneer.[1] The tree earned its nickname on November 11, 1912, when over $1 million dollars in oil leases were sold under the tree.[3] The tree died in the 1980s due to Dutch elm disease.[1]
A new tree was planted and dedicated in a ceremony on September 15, 2006.[3]
References edit
- ^ a b c May, Jon D. "Million Dollar Elm". okhistory.org. Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture. Retrieved 7 December 2023.
- ^ "Did You Know?". Osage Nation. 26 March 2014. Retrieved 7 December 2023.
- ^ a b "Million Dollar Elm". aoghs.org. American Oil and Gas Historical Society.