Large Burr Oak Tree which is listed on the “National Register of Historic Trees.” – Part of Heritage Oak Subdivision Amendment
1894
In front of the property at 604 West Harrisville Road stands a large Burr Oak Tree which is listed on the “National Register of Historic Trees.” John Dabb brought the seed or seedling with him when he returned home from an Eastern States Mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1894.
John and Emily Dabb moved to Harrisville and purchased 30 acres from Pleasant Green Taylor. They built a one room house in 1882. In 1889, they built a two-room adobe addition on the west side. Later, two more rooms were added onto the east end.
In 1930, according to the 1930 Census, Jacob and Fike Boekway Smit, who immigrated from Holland, were living in the home with their family. Smit divided the remaining property along West Harrisville Road for his children.
The Smit’s son, William W. Smith, built at 686 West Harrisville Road. (He changed his last name to Smith from Smit, as did some of his other siblings.) He also received enough property for his two children to build homes on West Harrisville Road (664 West and 670 West).
There was a well-constructed large barn set back east of the home, and they usually planted a lovely vegetable garden in front. Their son George later acquired the house and barn, and he or members of his family lived there until the house was removed. The barn has since also been demolished and replaced with a new one.
With the old home gone, in 2018 a new home was built behind the beautiful Burr Oak Tree at 604 West Harrisville Road which is now part of the Heritage Oak Subdivision.