Despite the Halsell family’s generosity, the school did not last much longer. The introduction of public schools sealed the fate of Willie Halsell College and, despite its reputation for excellence, it was no longer the center of educational life in this part of Indian Territory.

When the building was razed, it would seem that the tribute to young Willie Halsell was destroyed also. However, some powerful and interesting reminders remain of the young girl’s life and her family’s impact on the community.

The most obvious and traditional tribute is in the form of a monument on the site of the college. Where the Hall-Halsell Elementary School driveway is today, there is a stone and bronze marker describing the history of Willie Halsell College and how it got its name.

Also, the Eastern Trails Museum holds photos of the college and historical records describing the life and times of the Halsell family. These records include some references to Willie’s short life and the resulting college’s name change in her honor.

One of America’s most famous men attended Willie Halsell College as a youngster and that alone will keep Willie’s name in history books for ever. Will Rogers not only attended Willie Halsell College for 4 years, but he was very close friends with Ewing Halsell, who was the brother of Little Willie.

Because Will Rogers life is exhaustively researched and documented, the name of Willie Halsell will always live on in these numerous texts and articles about this most famous and well-loved Oklahoman.

There is one other memorial to little Willie that is not so obvious and not even intentional. But it could be considered Willie’s memorial to the folks among us who are inclined to the romantic views of history.

In the playground area of the elementary school but in the days when Willie was a baby, it must have been just a sapling, offering only a small spot of dappled shade.

When Will Rogers attended Willie Halsell College, he might have tied his horse to the tree or had a picnic nearby with his girlfriend from Bluejacket. Maybe Will’s friend, Ewing Halsell, looked out the window of his classroom at the tree and pondered his sister’s untimely death.

However casually the students at Willie Halsell College considered this tree a hundred ago, students at the elementary school today can’t ignore its massive beauty. It is so big and inviting, it is considered an unofficial landmark in Vinita just because of its sheer beauty and size.

It is no longer an or dinary tree. And there may be a reason why it survived and flourished like no other tree for miles around. The location makes it seem like an obvious replacement for the long gone school building that was meant to memorialize little Willie Halsell. She would probably be pleased.