Gilliam Memorial Tree - Dallas Oregon
Posted by: 
TheBeanTeam
N 44° 55.456 W 123° 19.408
10T E 474472 N 4974588
A memorial tree planted by an early Oregon Pioneers descendants looks to be devouring the memorial plaque commemorating the event in Dallas City Park.
Waymark Code: WMDZJ1
Location: Oregon, United States
Date Posted: 03/13/2012
Views: 5
The Gilliam Memorial Tree was commemorated by the descendants of early Oregon Pioneer Cornelius Gilliam at a 1941 family gathering in Dallas Oregon.
According to the Oregon Encyclopedia (
visit link) "In spring 1845 they (the Gilliam family) settled on a claim at the present town of Dallas", making Dallas a perfect spot for a family reunion 93 years after their patriarchs death. 71 years the after the family event the tree is hungrily devouring the commemoration plaque. It is interesting to compare the curve of the plaque with the current size of the tree.
Gilliam County perpetuates the family name as did two navy ships through the years.
USS Cornelius Gilliam: (A Liberty Ship) (
visit link)
USS Gilliam:(named for Gilliam County) (
visit link)
Cornelius Gilliam (April 13, 1798 – March 24, 1848) was a pioneer of the U.S. state of Oregon who was best known as the commander of the volunteer forces against the Cayuse in the Cayuse War. A native of North Carolina, he served in the Black Hawk War and Seminole Wars before settling in Missouri. There he served in the militia against the Mormons, was a county sheriff, and a member of the Missouri State Senate before immigrating to the Oregon Country."
"In 1844, he headed west over the Oregon Trail to the unorganized Oregon Country. Gilliam was in charge of the wagon train at the beginning of the journey, though the wagon train later split into smaller groups.After the Whitman massacre in 1847, the Provisional Government of Oregon organized a force of about 600 and made Gilliam colonel to prosecute the Cayuse". Wikipedia: (
visit link)