Historic sites and interpretive facilities on the Trail of Tears National Historic Trail in Illinois for you to visit:
(updated October 30, 2010)
Camp Ground Cemetery, Anna
Location: Adjacent to the Camp Ground Cumberland Presbyterian Church, at 50 Tunnel Lane, six miles east of Anna, Union County.
Telephone: 618-833-9000 (church office)
Hours: no restrictions
Historical Significance: Wintertime camping spot for thousands of northern-route Cherokee during the Trail of Tears, and ad hoc graveyard for those who died during their encampment.
To Learn More: http://genealogytrails.com/ill/union/campground.html
Crabb-Abbott Farm, Grantsburg
Location: Route 1, Box 99, on Hound Ridge Road, four miles southeast of Grantsburg
Telephone: (618) 949-3355
Hours: Private property. Visit arranged in advance by contacting owner.
Historical Significance: Property has segments of the Northern Route, including the rock crossing and ford of Sugar Creek. These segments are contiguous with trail segments on the adjacent Shawnee National Forest.
Website: none
Golconda Riverfront
Location: foot of Main Street, Golconda
Telephone: (618) 683-3341 (city clerk)
Hours: unrestricted
Historical Significance: Along the waterfront at this site marked the Illinois side of Berry’s Ferry. During the fall and winter of 1838-39, thousands of Cherokee reached the Illinois side of the Ohio River.
Exhibits: none
To learn more:
McGinnis Cemetery Trail Segment
Location: State Highway 146 at Burns Road, six miles east of Anna.
Telephone: none
Hours: unrestricted
Historical Significance: The northern (main) Trail of Tears route went from east to west along the northern edge of the McGinnis Cemetery.
Exhibits: none
Toler Farm Trail Segment
Location: North of State Highway 146 near Burns Road, six miles east of Anna
Telephone: none
Hours: private property – not open to the public
Historical Significance: The northern (main) Trail of Tears route went through this area, both east of the McGinnis Cemetery (paralleling Timber Road) and west of the cemetery (paralleling Toler Lane and Locust Grove Lane)
Exhibits: none
Trail of Tears State Forest, Jonesboro
Location: 3240 State Forest Road (Union County).
Telephone: (618) 833-4910
Hours: unrestricted
Historical Significance: In 1838-39, the Cherokee nations were forced to move from the southeast to reservations in Oklahoma (then known as Indian Territory). They overwintered at makeshift camps four miles south of the forest's southern boundary. Bitter cold and starvation claimed hundreds of lives. The cruel trek came to be known as the "Trail of Tears." The state forest's name commemorates the tragic event.
Available activities: camping, hiking, horseback riding, hunting, wildlife observation
To learn more: http://dnr.state.il.us/lands/landmgt/parks/r5/trltears.htm
Wagner Farm Trail Segment
Location: Along Deputy Tower Road (Trail of Tears Road), five miles west of Golconda T
Telephone: none
Hours: private property – not open to the public
Historical Significance: The northern (main) Trail of Tears route went through this area. Between present-day Hodgeville and Old Brownfield, the historical right-of-way is collinear with Deputy Tower Road (Trail of Tears Road) in much of this area. However, midway between these points (on the Wagner Farm property) the historical route veers ¼ to ½ mile south of the present-day road.
Exhibits: none
