Cedartown in Polk County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)

Trail of Tears Cherokee

"Walk in their Footsteps"

Photographed by David Seibert, February 7, 2015

1. Trail of Tears Cherokee Marker

Inscription. The area surrounding the Cedartown Big Springs was first inhabited by the Cherokee Indians. The land was prized for its abundance of sparkling spring water and shade-providing cedar trees. The Cherokee people lived here peacefully until May 26, 1838 when militia men began their forced round up as part of the 1830 Indian Removal Act. Eighty soldiers set up a military post here, on this very land, creating Camp Cedar Town. More than 200 Cherokee – men, women, and children – were captured during a month’s time. Soldiers used the camp as a place to hold the Cherokee captive until they were forced to travel to deportation camps in Tennessee and later, further west. Because of this, the land where you now stand plays a significant role in the Trail of Tears. On this ground, the Cherokee people wept, mourning the loss of the land they loved and the lives lost along this trail paved with tears.

Erected by This marker made possible by Woodmen of the World Life Insurance Society – “with you through life” and the Trail of Tears Remembrance Motorcycle Ride.

Topics. This historical marker is

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listed in this topic list: Indigenous Peoples and Communities.

Location. 34° 0.867′ N, 85° 15.517′ W. Marker is in Cedartown, Georgia, in Polk County. It is at the intersection of Wissahickon Avenuye and North Cave Spring Street, on the right when traveling east on Wissahickon Avenuye. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Cedartown GA 30125, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Georgia’s Mountains. It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Deep South.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the original Cherokee Nation,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Cedartown Water Works, Woman's Building, Big Spring Park Historic District (within shouting distance of this marker); Big Spring Park (within

Photographed by David Seibert, February 7, 2015

2. Trail of Tears Cherokee Marker

Looking east on Wissahickon Avenue, with Big Spring Park on the right.

shouting distance of this marker); Hawkes Children's Library (about 800 feet away, measured in a direct line); Ivy Ledbetter Lee (approx. 0.2 miles away); Polk County (approx. 0.2 miles away); Polk County Confederate Monument (approx. 0.2 miles away); Sterling Holloway (approx. 0.2 miles away); Polk County Courthouses (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cedartown.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 25, 2017. It was originally submitted on August 25, 2017, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. This page has been viewed 1,438 times since then and 80 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 25, 2017, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia.