These are historic sites on the Trail of Tears National Historic Trail in Alabama that you can visit:
Fort Payne Cabin Site, Fort Payne
Location: at the east end of 4th St. S.E. (just east of Gault Ave. S.)
Telephone: (256) 845-6888 (Landmarks of DeKalb Co., site owner)
Hours: not presently open to the public
Historical Significance: Fort Payne was one of a series of over twenty forts (stockades) that were established in Alabama as well as in Georgia and North Carolina. Cherokees were brought to these forts during the late spring of 1838 prior to being directed to two larger encampments in southeastern Tennessee. Fort Payne, which was commissioned in October 1836, was used for only a few months, but a cabin and outlying improvements from the fort continued in use until the late 1940s. Today, only a chimney, well, and scattered artifacts remain.
To learn more: www.landmarksdekalbal.org/articles/FortSite.html or www.exploresouthernhistory.com/fortpayne3.html
Tuscumbia Landing, Sheffield
Location: at the confluence of the Tennessee River (Pickwick Lake) and Spring Creek, near the foot of Blackwell Rd., west of downtown Sheffield
Telephone: (256) 383-0250 (City of Sheffield)
Hours: not restricted
Historical Significance: Tuscumbia Landing was located at the western terminus of the Tuscumbia, Courtland, and Decatur Railway. During the summer of 1838, Cherokee detachments headed by Lt. Edward Deas and Lt. R.H.K. Whiteley attempted to travel from Ross Landing, Tennessee to Fort Gibson, Indian Territory via the “water route.” These detachments floated down the Tennessee River to Decatur. Due to low water and potential difficulties navigating through Muscle Shoals, they rode on the railway west to Tuscumbia Landing and then boarded boats headed downriver. Prior to that summer, numerous other “water route” detachments brought Creeks, Choctaws, and other groups past this spot on their way to Indian Territory. Tuscumbia Landing was also the site of considerable Civil War activity.
To learn more: www.cityoftuscumbia.org/Our_History/index.html
Waterloo Landing, Waterloo
Location: Main Street, just south of Pine Street
Telephone:(256) 764-3237 (Town of Waterloo)
Hours: not restricted
Historical Significance: Waterloo, located on Pickwick Lake (the former Tennessee River), was the site where, in July 1838, the 700-person Cherokee detachment led by Capt. Gustavus S. Drane ended its 230-mile overland migration, boarded the steamboat Smelter, and began its water route to Indian Territory.
To learn more: www.waterlooalabama.com/trailoftears.php
