The Boutonville Oak LbNA #39538
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Nearby Boxes
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Add Location| Owner: | N/A |
|---|---|
| Plant date: | May 1, 2008 |
| Location: | |
| City: | Pound Ridge |
| County: | Westchester |
| State: | New York |
| Boxes: | 1 |
| Planted by: | suzietoots
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|---|---|
| Found by: | a knitwit |
| Last found: | May 17, 2013 |
| Status: | FFFFFFFFFFFFa |
| Last edited: | May 1, 2008 |
The Boutonville Oak
This tree was just a seeding before any European stepped foot on our soil- asignificant tree when Stephanus Van Cortlandt received his manor grant from King William lll - already a majestic landmark at the time of the revolution. This tree stands astride a knoll high above the Waccabuc River near the northern border of Pound Ridge. It is second in size only to the famous Bedford Oak. The base of this giant white oak measures 14'8" in circumference and branches extend outward 73' tip to tip.
It has survived nature's elements by lightning, weather, disease, and man's mighty tools, the tree is very likely once served as a lookout post from which Native Americans could observe the valley of the Stone Hills. Acorns were a regular part of the Native American diet. Campsites were established on the high-ground beneath the oak's massive limbs. Indian funeral processions passed by the tree on their way to sacred burial grounds nearby.
Many Legends and superstitions whhave been passed on regarding this site. One is the story of the "burnt house story." In the late 1800's, a poor farmer and his family lived in a run-down shack west of Kimberly Bridge. Four young children attended the old one-room schoolhouse at Boutonville, and on several occasions would bring raccoon meat for their lunch. One cold winter's night, the alcoholic father was out on a binge and the children were snuggled near the fire. A spark few out, ignited one of the quilts, an a flash spread throughout the tinderbox house. When the father finally stumbled home through deep snow, he came upon the still smoldering ruins. No mention was ever made of the mother but the four children were buried by neighbors in unmarked graves on the grassy knoll under the Boutonville Oak. The father was thought to have gone mad after the tragedy and reportedly was tarred and feathered by some of his irate neighbors. He was never seen in the area again.
To the Letterbox:
You can park on reservation road, past the Kimberly Bridge area of Ward Pound Ridge. There is a camping area just past Kimberly Bridge and has a parking lot. The other way is to park on Boutonville Road, off of Route 124 (Salem Road) This road is closed to cars either way. If entering from Route 124, Walk West into the park. On your right, just past the large stone retaining wall will be a sign for the oak. Turn right to a uphill path. As you approach the tree, you will see a small long-needled evergreen, on your left side. It is approx. 9 paces/18 steps from the Oak. A couple of barkless logs on the ground hide this Legend box.
If you are attending the Pound Ridge Gathering on May 10. Inside the box you will find a piece of paper that will give you the combination to a locked box that has a Bonus Stamp. You will only be able to find the combo if you retrieve this box before the gathering.
Sign up for event on Saturday May 10 at Atlasquest.com.
This tree was just a seeding before any European stepped foot on our soil- asignificant tree when Stephanus Van Cortlandt received his manor grant from King William lll - already a majestic landmark at the time of the revolution. This tree stands astride a knoll high above the Waccabuc River near the northern border of Pound Ridge. It is second in size only to the famous Bedford Oak. The base of this giant white oak measures 14'8" in circumference and branches extend outward 73' tip to tip.
It has survived nature's elements by lightning, weather, disease, and man's mighty tools, the tree is very likely once served as a lookout post from which Native Americans could observe the valley of the Stone Hills. Acorns were a regular part of the Native American diet. Campsites were established on the high-ground beneath the oak's massive limbs. Indian funeral processions passed by the tree on their way to sacred burial grounds nearby.
Many Legends and superstitions whhave been passed on regarding this site. One is the story of the "burnt house story." In the late 1800's, a poor farmer and his family lived in a run-down shack west of Kimberly Bridge. Four young children attended the old one-room schoolhouse at Boutonville, and on several occasions would bring raccoon meat for their lunch. One cold winter's night, the alcoholic father was out on a binge and the children were snuggled near the fire. A spark few out, ignited one of the quilts, an a flash spread throughout the tinderbox house. When the father finally stumbled home through deep snow, he came upon the still smoldering ruins. No mention was ever made of the mother but the four children were buried by neighbors in unmarked graves on the grassy knoll under the Boutonville Oak. The father was thought to have gone mad after the tragedy and reportedly was tarred and feathered by some of his irate neighbors. He was never seen in the area again.
To the Letterbox:
You can park on reservation road, past the Kimberly Bridge area of Ward Pound Ridge. There is a camping area just past Kimberly Bridge and has a parking lot. The other way is to park on Boutonville Road, off of Route 124 (Salem Road) This road is closed to cars either way. If entering from Route 124, Walk West into the park. On your right, just past the large stone retaining wall will be a sign for the oak. Turn right to a uphill path. As you approach the tree, you will see a small long-needled evergreen, on your left side. It is approx. 9 paces/18 steps from the Oak. A couple of barkless logs on the ground hide this Legend box.
If you are attending the Pound Ridge Gathering on May 10. Inside the box you will find a piece of paper that will give you the combination to a locked box that has a Bonus Stamp. You will only be able to find the combo if you retrieve this box before the gathering.
Sign up for event on Saturday May 10 at Atlasquest.com.