The story goes that it was used as a marker when Mobile Bay was first explored by the Spanish during the 1500’s. I don’t know if that story is true, but when one views the massive live oak, one has to believe it is entirely possible.
Today, some of the enormous limbs that once graced the tree are no longer there. Time has weathered it, clipping its wings with wind and water and powerful hurricanes. Yet, the heart of the tree still stands tall.
A historical marker along Main Street in downtown Daphne, Alabama erroneously claims the tree was used as a stage by Andrew Jackson on his way to attack Pensacola in the fall of 1814.
A careful study of history will find this is a mistake. The attack on Pensacola was a surprise, and Jackson would never have used the main route between Mobile and Pensacola to stage such an attack. Instead, he headed north from Mobile and met up with volunteers near what remained of Fort Mims, and then circled around Mobile Bay so that he could attack Pensacola from the north.
Instead, it is highly possible that he would have camped near the old oak on his return from Pensacola to Mobile, after conquering the city with ease. He could have used the limbs of the huge behemoth to encourage his troops before loading into boats to make their way across Mobile Bay. Being a romantic at heart, I choose to believe that is most probably what occurred.
So, if you travel through south Alabama and you have a GPS, type in Jackson’s Oak. It is situated a short distance off Main Street in Daphne, not far off I-10. I promise, it is well worth your visit!