Last updated: January 13, 2023
Place
Fort Payne Cabin Site
Quick Facts
Location:
At the east end of 4th Street SE (just east of Gault Avenue S), Fort Payne, Alabama
Significance:
The cabin site is part of local property seized by the military for Fort Payne, one of over 20 removal forts (stockades) established in AL, GA, and NC.
Designation:
Certified Site
In 1837, federal troops arrived in Wills Valley to establish a fort to remove removing the Cherokee Indians from the area. The cabin site is part of local property seized by the military for Fort Payne, one of over 20 removal forts (stockades) established in Alabama, Georgia, and North Carolina. Research indicates the cabin belonged to Cherokee John Huss (Spirit the Preacher) and was built circa 1825. Historical documents show that Cantonment Payne existed as early as fall 1837, became Fort Payne by December 1837, and was a major emigrating depot by the fall of 1838. The majority of Cherokee who were forced by the military to leave their homes in Alabama left from Fort Payne. A detachment led by Cherokee John Benge departed for Indian Territory in October of 1838, and the fort was closed soon after. Although the fort was used for only about a year, the cabin continued in use until the mid-1940s. Today a chimney, the cabin foundation, and a nearby stacked stone well remain.
Site Information
Location (106 4th Street SE (just east of Gault Avenue S), Fort Payne, Alabama)
Access
Landmarks of DeKalb County; open to the public by appointment