Greenways and Trails MTSU Center for Historic Preservation Tennessee Trail of Tears National Historic Trail

Toby Darden Road MTSU Center for Historic Preservation November 4,1838,to John Ross —Letter by George Hicks dated Majestic Mississippi. dear East of the Father ofWaters, the bid afinal farewell toit and allwehold stern necessity says wemust go, andwe to quit thescenes ofourchildhood, but forced ofthewhite bytheauthority man and itis(withsorrow) thatweare It isthelandofourfathers…our sons, that Countrygaveusbirth. Fathers, weare ontheeveofleaving country thattheGreat Spiritgaveour and kind farewell toournativelandthe We are nowabouttotake ourfinalleave Why did they LeaveWhy did they ? culture. Even so,Tennessee’s legacytodayremains richin (present-day ),ahometheyneverwanted. into “detachments”totakethemIndianTerritory in Tennessee, where theywaitedtobeorganized their homesinGeorgiaandNorthCarolina arrived camps anddetachmentroutes. Cherokee drivenfrom The Tennessee Trail ofTears storyisoneofremoval to unfamiliarland. and willofeachman,woman,childtravelingwest thatlayaheadofthemwouldtestthestrength journey separated, nevertoseetheirlovedonesagain.The militia. Duringtheprocess manyfamiliesbecame homes, manyatthehandsoffederaltroops andstate Tears, over15,000Cherokee were forced from their Treaty, butin1838,aneventknownastheTrail of relocate totheWest. MostCherokee protested the removal: Inexchangefor$5million,thetribewould Treaty ofNewEchota.Thistreaty settheconditionsfor the authorityofCherokeesigned government, In 1835,aminorityofCherokee leaders,actingoutside MTSU Centerfor HistoricPreservation Chattanooga at Ross’s Landing, The “SunCircle”

as thesacred fire burns. Cherokee willsurviveaslong fire alive.Itissaidthatthe logs thatkeepthesacred central cross depictsthefour fire sentbytheCreator. The holy sunintheformofsacred to theleftsymbolizes The circular Cherokee design Cherokee Communities to Removal Camps church services.Inmanyrespects, Cherokee read andwriteinEnglishtoattendChristian provided aplaceforCherokee children to tolearn schools, suchasBrainerd, nearChattanooga, and ferries.Throughout theyears,severalmission owned prosperous plantations,stores, taverns, creeks. MostCherokee farmedthefertilesoils.Some across thehillsandvalleysalongrivers in Tennessee. Theylivedincommunitiesscattered Ross, andPrincipalChiefJohnRossallhadhomes warehouse, andferrylandingsite settlement ofRoss’s Landing.Itconsistedofaferry, In 1816,brothers JohnandLewisRossestablishedthe Ferry atChattanooga 1828-1866 Principal ChiefJohnRoss Jesse Bushyhead,Lewis Conrad, JamesBrown, Prominent leadersHair about 2,500Cherokee. but alsothehomeof inRedClay,government the seatofCherokee not onlythelocationof southeast Tennessee was New Echotawassigned, At thetimeTreaty of Artwork byDorthy Sullivan

Artwork by Harry Fenn loved onesbefore reaching theirnewhomes? began. Howmanymore familieswouldlosetheir of disease,andmanyperishedbefore thejourney poor conditionsatthecampsledtorapidoutbreaks camps priortotheirdeparture toIndianTerritory, but Approximately 7,000Cherokees were heldatthese 4-mile area, extendingfrom Charlestonsouthward. camps inthisarea were spread outovera12-by the centerforlargestemigratingdepot.Removal day Charleston.Duringremoval, FortCassservedas known asChattanooga,andFortCassinpresent- communities inTennessee: Ross’s Landing,now these campswere locatedinthevicinityofCherokee camps nearoneofthree emigratingdepots.Two of from theirhomesbytroops andheldatremoval enslaved AfricanAmericans,andCreek were taken Beginning inlateMay1838,thousandsofCherokee, was abouttochange. American neighbors.In1838,though,Cherokee life communities didnotdiffer muchfrom thoseoftheir 1838 historicmapoftheFortCassarea across thevalley. Highlighted inblueare theremoval campsthat were spread Indian landfor westward expansion. US presidents sought toacquire American and anincreasing American population, early With theestablishment oftheUnited States

Museum of the Cherokee Indian Traveling through Tennessee were organizedintodetachmentsofabout1,000each. Permission wasgrantedandtheremaining Cherokee Cherokee tocontrol theremainder oftheirremoval. toallowthe leaders petitionedtheUSgovernment result, PrincipalChiefJohnRossandotherCherokee disease, anddeathsplaguedthelasttwogroups. Asa toIndianTerritory.begin theirjourney Dire conditions, June, three groups ofCherokee leftRoss’s landingto new homeintheWest—most startedinTennessee. In The Cherokee usedmany different routes toreach their to anunknown region notdesired bythem. not surprised atthisbecause they are movingnotfrom choice unusually slowinpreparing for starting each morning. Iam The detachment ofthepeople are veryloth[sic] togoon, and around Murfreesboro toNashville. reason route whysomeofthedetachmentstookanalternate stopped andmadetopayafeeattollssuchasthisone, RoutewereMany ofthedetachmentstravelingNorthern Toll gates October 24,1838 —Detachment Conductor Elijah Hicks,

MTSU Center for Historic Preservation today liveonasarenewed, invigoratednation. people whotraveledthistrail,theCherokee people Despite thegreat losssuffered bythethousandsof of Cherokee liveswere lostalongtheTrail ofTears. detachment arrivingonMarch 24,1839.Hundreds to travel800milesIndianTerritory, withthelast It tookuptosixandahalfmonthsfortheCherokee buried alongtheroutes. perished whiletravelingthrough Tennessee andwere some children inthePulaskiarea. OtherCherokee also heartbreak. ThedetachmentledbyJohnBengelost The tripthrough Tennessee wasnotwithout of thejourney. Royal, topurchase forthenextportion flourandcorn along theway, stoppingatmills,suchasthosePort traverse. Detachmentsresupplied atvariouspoints Tennessee, foundtheroads equallydifficult to The Belldetachment,whichtraveledthrough southern traveling anaverageof10-12milesaday. the steeproad overtheCumberlandMountains, River atBlytheFerry. Onthisroute, theyhadtotravel Route,crossingand tooktheNorthern theTennessee led oneofthesedetachments.Mostleftfrom FortCass Hair Conrad,JamesBrown, andJesseBushyheadeach —Daniel S.Butrick traveling with the alarmed, fearing Icould scarecely get down... mountain steep, andthedescent very long, so thatIbecame We descended themountain. The ground was frozen andthe Taylor detachment, November 1838 Middle Tennessee StateUniversity does notdiscriminateonthebasis of race,color, nationalorigin,sex, or disability. Seeourfullpolicy at mtsu.edu/titleix. 0517-4219

CHATTANOOGA CHATTANOOGA CLEVELAND CLEVELAND BIRCHWOOD CHATTANOOGA CHARLESTON MEMORIAL HERITAGE CENTER AUDUBON ACRES ROSS’S LANDING & THE PASSAGE CEMETERY HAIR CONRAD CABIN RED CLAY STATE HISTORIC PARK PARK: 8746 Hiwassee Street, Charleston, TN 37310 900 North Sanctuary Road, Chattanooga, TN 100 Riverfront Pkwy, Chattanooga, TN 37402 5700 Eastgate Loop, Chattanooga, TN 37066 433 Blythewood Road SW, Cleveland, TN 37311 1140 Red Clay Park Road, SW Cleveland, TN (423) 413-8284 37421 (423) 892-1499 (423) 476-8942 (by appointment only) 37311 (423) 478-0339 6630 Blythe Ferry Lane, Birchwood, TN 37308 Site Information: Ross’s Landing was one of three Site Information: Brainerd Mission once consisted of (423) 339-2769 Site Information: Charleston was the site of the Indian Site Information: Audubon Acres contains the Spring emigrating depots for thousands of Cherokee on some 40 buildings, including boarding houses, schools, Site Information: Hair Conrad lived in this cabin for Site Information: Red Clay served as the seat of the Agency and later Fort Cass, the military operational Frog Cabin, a pre-removal Cherokee home, and the their way to the . The park contains a and churches. During removal, the mission was a over 30 years. In 1838 he was selected to lead the Site Information: The park contains a visitor center, Cherokee government from 1832 until the forced headquarters for the entire Trail of Tears removal. visitor center has exhibits on the Brainerd Mission site historical marker and various memorials dedicated to stopping point and hospital. Evidence suggests that first Ross-managed detachment, which traveled walking trails, and outdoor interpretive exhibits that removal in 1838. The park contains replicas of 19th- This and other stories, including pivotal Civil War and on Cherokee culture. At Audubon Acres, visitors and culture. the mission’s cemetery is the final resting place for the Northern Route from (near explain the history of the Trail of Tears. The park is century Cherokee buildings and an interpretive visitor positioning and the filming of Wild River involving can learn about the typical Cherokee agricultural life some Cherokee who died at the removal camps. Charleston) to Indian Territory. located on a bluff that overlooks Blythe Ferry, where center, which features exhibits on Cherokee life in the TVA damming, are told at the center. and their level of acculturation at the time of removal. Other Sites to Visit: 9,000 Cherokee and Creek were encamped while early 1800s and on the removal from their homelands. JOHN ROSS HOME (Northern ) Other Sites to Visit: waiting to cross the on their way to Other Sites to Visit: BROWN’S FERRY TAVERN (Restricted, private property) HOUSE (Private property. View from street) Indian Territory. WILSON-ERWIN HOUSE (Private property. View from street)

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Gray's Inn

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Port Royal onson City

MISSOURI State Park

Cum ber lan d River

TENNESSEE

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R i v e Nasville Holston r The Hermitage ak Ride Nathan Bedford Reynoldsur Nashville 1823 noville W Forrest State Park Bridge Abutments Twin Forks Trail NORTH Murfreesoro CAROLINA Stones River River Great Smoky National Battlefield er Mountains iv McMinnville R National Park

Fall Creek Falls

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Sequoyah Coluia i Birchwood Birthplace p Cherokee Removal ip Museum s Memorial Park Trail of Tears is National Historic Trail s s i unlap Coker Creek M Coke Ovens Park Unicoi Turnpike Trail Charleston and Museum Hiwassee River H.C. Hiwassee awrenceur Chattanooga River (see list above for sites to visit) W Cleveland ayetteville o Savanna David Crockett lf Pulaski te Hair Conrad Cabin v Tennessee River Museum e State Park r

Giles County Trail of John Martin House C

r Mepis Tears Interpretive Center e e

k Red Clay State Historic Park The Different Routes of Travel Between the years of 1837 and 1839 the Cherokee SOUTH were removed to Indian Territory (Oklahoma) via Chickamauga & GEORGIA Chattanooga CAROLINA multiple routes across the country. The Round Up MISSISSIPPI National Military Park routes were used by the US government starting on May 24, 1838, to gather the Cherokee from their homes and forcibly place them in removal camps, Hair Conrad where they awaited the start of their 800-mile Cabin journey. The Water, Northern, Taylor, Benge, and Bell routes were used by different removal detachments during this time period to escort thousands of Cherokee to their new land in the West. Many Cherokee perished along each of these routes as harsh weather conditions, poor food supplies, and Accessing Sites the spread of sickness affected these traveling parties. The Trail of Tears National Historic Trail is under development. It’s not possible to follow TRAIL OF TEARS RETRACEMENT TRAIL GILES COUNTY TRAIL OF TEARS BIRTHPLACE MUSEUM PORT ROYAL STATE PARK More Sites to See: the entire trail along the historical course. In David Crockett State Park 3300 Old Clarksville Highway, Adams, TN 37010 most cases travelers will have to follow public TRAIL OF TEARS INTERPRETIVE CENTER 576 State Highway 360, Vonore, TN 37885 THE HERMITAGE (931) 358-9696 roads that are close to the authentic trail. 1400 West Gaines, Lawrenceburg, TN 38464 220 Stadium St, Pulaski, TN 38478 (423) 884-6246 4580 Rachel’s Lane, Nashville, TN 37076 NATIONAL HISTORIC TRAIL ROUTES (931) 762-9408 (931) 424-4044 UNICOI TURNPIKE TRAIL Please ask for permission before visiting any Site Information: Exhibits at the Sequoyah Birthplace Site Information: During 1838 and 1839, Cherokee 250 Ranger Station Road, Tellico Plains, TN 37385 ROUND UP ROUTES Site Information: Visit the Trail of Tears Interpretive Museum trace American Indian history in the region, passed through the present-day park as part of the Trail trail sites on private lands and check with Site Information: In October and November of 1838 Retracement Trail located in David Crockett State Park, beginning with the Paleo-Indian period. A video of Tears’ Northern Route. Diary records of the removal TENNESSEE RIVER MUSEUM public sites for visiting hours and regulations. the Bell and Benge detachments passed through WATER ROUTE and hike a portion of the Bell Route. This route was presentation, map, and pictorial display tell the Trail of mentioned Port Royal, the last stop before leaving 495 Main Street, Savannah, TN 38372 Pulaski on the Trail of Tears. Explore both indoor and used to transport 650-700 Cherokee from Tennessee Tears story. Tennessee, as an encampment site where the Cherokee JAMES BROWN CHEROKEE PLANTATION (private property) OVERLAND WATER to Indian Territory in 1838. outdoor exhibits at the interpretive center to learn stayed to resupply, grind corn, and rest. Within the 9521 Ooltewah-Georgetown Road, Ooltewah, TN 37363 more about the journey of these two detachments park are the remains of several old roadbeds. ROUTE and the broader story of Cherokee removal. For more information on Cherokee history and sites in NORTHERN ROUTE Tennessee, visit the Southeastern Tennessee Tourism Association website at: TAYLOR ROUTE southeasttennessee.com/roadtrip/cherokee-heritage-sites/ or Visit the National Park Service Trail of Tears website BENGE ROUTE and select the Quicklink: Places to go nps.gov/trte BELL ROUTE

The National Park Service administers the trail in close partnership with Trail of Tears Association, the Cherokee Nort Nation, the Eastern Band of Cherokee, federal, state, While traveling along the Trail of Tears county, and local agencies, interested groups, and private iloeters National Historic Trail, you will see a variety of

Trail of Tears Trail Map and Guide Tennessee landowners. Trail sites are in private, municipal, tribal, roadway signs meant to help you explore the Miles federal, or state ownership.

PULASKI trail’s stories, routes, and sites. VONORE ADAMS LAWRENCEBURG