Berlin Rock

The Famous Berlin Rock was placed in position for a rostrum in the natural amphitheater at Berlin Springs by Messrs. James Finley and Robert Fields in 1844 on the occasion of a visit from James K. Polk and was used by him in addressing a large concourse of people.(Drawing is by the late John William Lunn, a Berlin resident)

Esq. Field has had the oversight of the rock for the past forty years and wants it handed down to posterity in good shape. Mr. Field showed us the exact spot where the rock was located and also where the large elm tree stood which made an excellent shade for the early time gatherings.

In Bob Taylor's campaign in 1886, the Berlin Rock was brought to Lewisburg for his use in a speech delivered before one of the largest gatherings ever assembled here. Isaac Whitesell jacked up the large stone under his four-mule team wagon and attached it to the cutting pole and running gear by chains, thus making the journey to the Courthouse yard.

In anticipation of "Citizens' Week" fostered by the Daughters of the American Revolution and commended by Governor Peay, the noted "Berlin Rock" which reposes in the Courthouse Park in this place, has been appropriately marked by a bronze tablet recording its history. Since Bob Taylor's speech it has remained in Lewisburg and is now marked as one of the county's historic souvenirs.

The tablet was cast by the Sherman Steel and Iron Works of Oklahoma City without charges except for the type used in the casting, and will perpetuate historical matter known to but few of the citizens of the county and attests a commendable spirit which would keep green, through the years to come, the memory of many prominent men and matters of the misty past.

The names and dates on the tablet were collected by Esq. Geo. W. Ewing and the tablet was placed in position and secured by Capt. J. R. Andrews and Mr. Howard Liggett of the Lewisburg Plumbing and Heating Company.

Those making speeches at Berlin Spring on the Rock were: Presidents James K. Polk, and Andrew Johnson, Governors Robert Love Taylor, Alfred Taylor, Benton McMillan, James B. Frazier, and James C. Jones, Senators; A. 0. P. Nicholson and Edward Carmack, Congressmen George W. Jones, M. P. Gentry (United States and Confederate States), James W. Richardson, and W. C. Houston, and Judges; W. M. Polk, Terry H. Cahal, Harvey Watterson, James H. Thomas, Mat Martin, W. M. Martin and Barclay Martin. Politicians knew they always had an audience at Berlin Spring.

Esq. Field and Dr. T. A. Allen are now the oldest citizens residing at Berlin. The former says he can remember the town as far back as 1832, and that in those early days it was large as or larger than Lewisburg and that it was a good trading point. Freddie Fisher and Wm. Liggett were the first settlers a mile south of Berlin, with Johnny Redord and others coming later.

Source: 'Not Down in State History' by Geo. W. Ewing.