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:
GC16NKE: Trail of Tears - “Bird” & “Paint”
GC16NKG: Trail of Tears - "Wolf" & "Long Hair"
GC16NKH: Trail of Tears - "Wild Potato"