CAROLA LILLIE HARTLEY
Publisher and Contributing Writer
Photograph: Jim Bowie
Where was Jim Bowie Born?
Although there is no official record Jim Bowie was born in Kentucky, some historians seem to think it was in that state and not Tennessee. It seems for years there has been a dispute between two counties in Kentucky about the place of Bowie’s birth, with both Logan County and Simpson County claiming Bowie was born in their county. Yet, some articles and books I’ve read about the famous frontiersman claim Bowie was born in Elliot Springs, Cumberland County, Tennessee. And all of these may be legitimate feuds. But does anyone know for sure where Jim Bowie was born? If you do, please let me know.
Did Jim Bowie Live in Opelousas?
But one thing we do know for certain about Jim Bowie is his family moved to Opelousas around 1808-1812. Jim was about 12-14 years old at that time, and he lived in Opelousas with the other members of the Rezin Bowie, Sr. family for about seven years or so. After that he moved to Avoyelles Parish where he operated a sawmill with his father Rezin, Sr. That sawmill had several contracts with the St. Landry Parish Police Jury to provide bridge timbers. There are court records that list Jim Bowie, as a resident of Avoyelles Parish, in Opelousas doing business in 1821.
Jim and his father were also land speculators, with Rezin Bowie, Sr. owning property on the Calcasieu River in Rapides Parish and also near the mouth of the Vermilion River. Jim’s brother Rezin Bowie, Jr. remained in Opelousas after the rest of the family moved on. It was his wife (Jim Bowie’s sister-in-law) who owned the property on South Union Street, near where the Chase Bank Branch is located today.
The Jim Bowie Oak
During the time the Jim Bowie Museum (opened on July 17, 1958 – moved to building next door in 1966 – moved to Venus house at east entrance to town in c. 1973.) was located in downtown Opelousas, on Union Street in the small brick building next to the Palace Cafe, and later in the white building next door, many a tale was told about Jim Bowie in Opelousas. One stated the museum was located on property were the Bowie Lumber Company once stood in Opelousas. Not certain that is correct. Anyone know for sure?
And there was one saying Jim Bowie slept under the big oak tree on West Landry Street near that museum building (today known as the Homere Mouton Law Office, built in 1858 and listed on the National Register as part of the Opelousas National Historic District.) The fact is I can’t find any documentation stating that tree had anything to do with Jim Bowie. But since it was located next to the Jim Bowie Museum for many years, the people who wrote the television series “The Adventures of Jim Bowie” named that old oak tree, the Jim Bowie Oak for the famous adventurer, who did live in Opelousas and who later died at the battle of the Alamo in Texas in 1836.
It is interesting to note that the Jim Bowie Oak is said to be very old, some claim as much as 300 years old. It is a charter member of the Live Oak Society, an exclusive society of venerable and historic trees.
