Living Memorial Tree

A Living Memorial Willow Tree was planted in 2019 during the centennial year of the Elaine Riot at the Elaine trailhead of the Delta Heritage Trail State Park.  This is the area where in 1919 the first memorial willow tree was placed to mark a mass grave in which incarcerated African Americans were forced to bury the bodies of friends and neighbors.  The tree planted in 2019 was axed at the base and the memorial tag was stolen less than six months after the tree was planted, and before the centennial anniversary commemoration. A bigger tree was planted in 2020 with lighting and security.