US Commissioners and Osage Indian Chiefs signed the treaty under this tree on August 10, 1825 guaranteeing safe passage to all traveling the Santa Fe Trail through Osage territory. The US paid the Native Americans $800 for this guarantee. It was at this time and at this site that Council Grove got its name -- from the "council" that took place in this mile-wide "grove" of hardwood trees that provided shelter and wood for wagon construction and repair.