Cape Girardeau in Cape Girardeau County, Missouri — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
1838
The Trail of Tears
Photographed By Sandra Hughes, August 12, 2012
1. 1838 Marker
Inscription.
1838. The Trail of Tears. In 1830 the U.S. Congress passed the Indian Removal Act which led to the forced removal of eastern tribes to "Indian Territory" west of the Mississippi (later the state of Oklahoma). In the autumn of 1838, sixteen separate groups of Cherokee, about 16,000 people, began the 1,000 mile overland journey to the west. The loss of life on the trail was high; nearly 4,000 died on the way. Fifteen of the groups crossed the Mississippi north of Cape Girardeau. Residents of the area were reported to have provided baskets of food for the Cherokee caught up in this tragic event.
In 1830 the U.S. Congress passed the Indian Removal Act which led to the forced removal of eastern tribes to "Indian Territory" west of the Mississippi (later the state of Oklahoma). In the autumn of 1838, sixteen separate groups of Cherokee, about 16,000 people, began the 1,000 mile overland journey to the west. The loss of life on the trail was high; nearly 4,000 died on the way. Fifteen of the groups crossed the Mississippi north of Cape Girardeau. Residents of the area were reported to have provided baskets of food for the Cherokee caught up in this tragic event.
Erected by Mississippi River Tales River Heritage Mural Association Cape Giradeau Missouri Where the river turns a thousand tales; Joe and Janet James, panel sponsors to honor those who endured and those who died on the Trail of Tears.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Native Americans. A significant historical year for this entry is 1838.
Location. 37° 18.315′ N, 89° 31.058′ W. Marker is in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, in Cape Girardeau County. Marker is on North Water Street south of Broadway Street, on the left when traveling south. Marker is located along the Mississippi River Tales Mural covering the downtown floodwall. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Cape Girardeau MO 63701, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other
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markers are within walking distance of this marker. 1821 (a few steps from this marker); 1861 (a few steps from this marker); 1863 (a few steps from this marker); 1804 (within shouting distance of this marker); 1870 (within shouting distance of this marker); 1803 (within shouting distance of this marker); 1875 (within shouting distance of this marker); 1793 (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cape Girardeau.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 30, 2017, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. This page has been viewed 216 times since then and 11 times this year. Last updated on December 31, 2022, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos:1, 2. submitted on August 30, 2017, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
