The Broken Arrow Economic Development Authority authorized the preservation of two historic landmarks and made way for additional Rose District parking at its meeting on May 7.  

BAEDA approved Resolution No. 1579 to purchase .17 acres and the grain elevator located at 507 S. Main St. from Hansen Mueller Co. for $250,000.  

The grain elevator is an iconic symbol of Broken Arrow's farming roots that has been a part of the City's skyline for 62 years. 

"With regard to the grain elevator, I want to temper the public's expectations," said City Manager Michael Spurgeon. "There are no plans to do anything with the grain tower except preserve it at this time." 

Spurgeon said there have been discussions about how the property can be incorporated into expanding the Rose District Farmer's Market. However, those discussions are preliminary, and the city is waiting until after the sale is finalized and talks with Union Pacific Railroad are complete.  

BAEDA also approved the purchase of 0.2250 acres at 202 W. Commercial Street, two blocks north of the Farmer's Market Pavilion, for $232,000.  

Assistant City Manager Norm Stephens said the City will add 17-20 free public parking spaces in the Rose District on this parcel of land.  

The purchase also secures a second piece of Broken Arrow history, the Umbrella Catalpa Tree, which was brought to Broken Arrow by early settlers to the area. It's the oldest surviving tree in the city, and it's been on the southwest corner of Ash Avenue and Commercial Street since the early 1900s.  

"We love our history," City Councilor Lisa Ford said. "The Authority preserved two historic items in our meeting tonight—the tree and the grain tower." 

Mayor Debra Wimpee stressed the preservation of this piece of Broken Arrow's history was paramount.  

"The Council also wants to retain this historic tree," Mayor Wimpee said. "I want that on record."  

Assistant City Manager Norm Stephens assured the trustees that the tree was safe with the City's purchase. 

"Mr. Spurgeon has assured me that under no circumstances will we cut down the tree," Stephens said.  

The tree is significant because the original Broken Arrow Township was a grass-covered prairie land with no trees. Early settlers brought sapling trees from other locations (often other states) to plant around their newly constructed houses.  

The Umbrella Catalpa Tree was a favorite among Broken Arrow's earliest residents because it provided great shade, beautiful flowers, bird habitats, and even fish bait.