Tellico Plains in Monroe County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)

Unicoi Turnpike Trail

Path Through Time

Photographed By Don Morfe, April 25, 2014

1. Unicoi Turnpike Trail Marker

Inscription. The path now known as the Unicoi Turnpike Trail has existed for over 1,000 year. The earliest European maps of the area note the trail as a connector between Cherokee Territories and the coastal ports of Charleston and Savannah. In 1756 British soldiers hauled weapons and supplies across the trail to establish Fort Loudoun. In the early 1800’s the trail was converted into a toll road and turnpike. In 1838 over 3,000 Cherokees traveled over the Unicoi Turnpike during the Trail of Tears.

Exploring an Ancient Path
We invite you to travel through layers of history as you trace the Unicoi Turnpike Trail in Tennessee and North Carolina. Historic sites and museums along the way will illustrate the role this important transportation route played in our nation’s history. A two and one half mile section of the original roadbed at Coker Creek is open for hiking.

Map points
1. Fort Loudoun; 2. Tellico Blockhouse; 3. Sequoyah Birthplace Museum; 4. Chato and Tanasi Memorials; 5. Tellico Plains; 6. Charles Hall Museum; 7. Coker Creek; 8. Unicoi Gap; 9. Joe Brown Highway; 10. Murphy; 11. Cherokee County Historical Museum; 12. Belltown (Cane Creek) Massacre; 13. Trail of Tears; 14. Hiking Trail.

Erected by John D. Grubb and Louise G. Summer Fund for Monroe County, Tennessee Overhill

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Association and State of Tenneessee.

Topics and series. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: Native Americans • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Trail of Tears series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1756.

Location. 35° 15.516′ N, 84° 17.448′ W. Marker is in Tellico Plains, Tennessee, in Monroe County. Memorial is on U.S. 68. The marker is located on the grounds of the Welcome Center, Unicoi Turnpike, Cherokee National Forest and Cedar Creek Post Office. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Tellico Plains TN 37385, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 8 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Gold Mining at Coker Creek (a few steps from this marker); Early Gold Mining (a few steps from this marker); Coker Creek (within shouting distance of this marker); Tellico Iron Works (approx. 7½ miles away); Cherokee Heritage Trails (approx. 7½ miles away); Fort Loudoun Massacre (approx. 7½ miles away); Boyhood Home of Ray H. Jenkins (approx. 7½ miles away); The Tennessee Overhill Experience (approx. 7½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Tellico Plains.

Photographed By Don Morfe, April 25, 2014

2. Unicoi Turnpike Trail Marker

Unicoi Turnpike Trail Welcome Center image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Don Morfe, April 25, 2014

3. Unicoi Turnpike Trail Welcome Center

Photographed By Don Morfe, April 25, 2014

4. Unicoi Turnpike Trail Welcome Center

Close up of map shown on the marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Don Morfe, April 25, 2014

5. Close up of map shown on the marker

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on July 15, 2014, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 718 times since then and 44 times this year. Last updated on April 9, 2015, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on July 15, 2014, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.