Welcome To Cherokee Trail Of Tears Commemorative
Park!
Please do not attempt any of the "Trail of Tears"
Caches by parking on the Pennyrile Parkway! Use Exit 8 and follow
the signs. There is a designated parking area at N36 51.180 W087
28.182
This historic park is one of the few documented sites of
actual trail and campsites used during the forced removal of the
Cherokee people to "Indian Territory". It was used as an encampment
in 1838 and 1839. This park is the burial site for two Cherokee
Chiefs who died during the removal - Fly Smith and Whitepath. This
long, cruel relocation has become known as the "Trail Of Tears" and
by Native Americans as "The Trail Where They Cried". In December
1987, President Ronald Reagan signs a bill creating the Trail Of
Tears as a National Historical Trail and Hopkinsville KY is named
in the bill. In April, 1996 the National Park Service designated
the park as a certified site on the National Historic Trail Of
Tears. Our park is the first non-federal property to receive such
designation.
Statues of Chief Whitepath and Fly Smith were crafted by
local artist Steve Shields and were unveiled with delegations from
Eastern Band Of Cherokees and Cherokee present. One of the focal
points of the Trail Of Tears Commemorative Park is the log cabin
which serves as the Heritage Center of the Park.This cabin dates to
the Trail Of Tears itself. While in need of reconstruction, the
cabin was moved to the park with only its roof removed. A complete
restoration was done, a new porch built and the interior fitted
with display cases for the cabin's new life as a Heritage
Center.There are seven Cherokee clans. Bird, Paint, Deer, Blue,
Wolf, Long Hair, Wild Potato. Near the burial area in the Park,The
Trail Of Tears Commission has planted seven Red Cherokee Chief
Dogwoods in honor of each clan. The name of each clan is set forth
in a carved redwood sign by its tree.
Please check out the other "Trail of Tears"
Caches:
GC16NKF: Trail of Tears - "Deer" &
"Blue"
GC16NKG: Trail of Tears - "Wolf" & "Long
Hair"
GC16NKH: Trail of Tears - "Wild
Potato"