Thong Trees at Lake of the Ozarks
Early Native Americans marked trails with trees,
bent to grow in an unusual fashion. Called thong trees, they are
foundthroughout the Lake of the Ozarks area and were created to
mark trails, springs, herbs used for medicinal purposes, salt supplies,
and caves, etc...
Old-timers sometimes referred to the trees as "water
trees" because they pointed to a spring or a river or 'buffalo
trees" because the Native American women would air their buffalo
hides over the bent trees. One of these thong trees can be viewed easily from the road. It is located in
the Lake of the Ozarks State Park on Hwy 42. Follow Hwy 134 (off
Hwy 42) to the Trail Information Center Cabin in the Park. Turn
right onto Whispering Oaks Road (at the Trail Information Center).
Travel 1.4 miles. The thong tree is on the left side of the road.
|
