Near Gaylesville in Cherokee County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)

Barry Springs Indian Stockade

Photographed by Angela Nichols, February 25, 2018

1. Barry Springs Indian Stockade Marker

Inscription. One hundred feet east was one site where "The Trail of Tears" began. On May 23, 1838 the Indians of this general area, who had been held in a chestnut log stockade after being gathered by the U.S. Army, began their long trek to Oklahoma. The spring, which was the source of water for the Indians, is believed to be the mouth of an underground cavern. Eli O. Alexander and wife Margaret (Barry) Allison and Richard Barry settled in this area about 1838. The Richard Barry log house c. 100 yards west of the spring was recently (c. 1970) was destroyed by fire.

Erected by Cherokee County Historical Society.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Trail of Tears series list. A significant historical date for this entry is May 23, 1838.

Location. 34° 25.75′ N, 85° 30.517′ W. Marker is near Gaylesville, Alabama, in Cherokee County. It is at the intersection of County Route 99 and County Route 95, on the right when traveling north on County Route 99. Touch for map. Marker is in

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this post office area: Gaylesville AL 35973, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in East Alabama and specifically in North Alabama.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

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 Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 8 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Alpine, Georgia (approx. 2.1 miles away in Georgia); Last Indian Agent (approx. 2.6 miles away in Georgia); Coe Incline (approx. 3.4 miles away); Colonel Charles Rattray (approx. 4 miles away); Arthur "Tarzan" White (approx. 4½ miles away); Trail of Tears – 1838 (approx. 7.1 miles away); Indians, Settlers, and Tourists (approx. 7.1 miles away); W.P. Brown & Sons Lumber Company (approx. 7.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map

Photographed by Angela Nichols, May 11, 2016

2. Barry Springs Indian Stockade Marker

Trail of Tears Original Route

of all markers in Gaylesville.

Also see . . . Barry Springs Indian Stockade at YouTube. (Submitted on November 25, 2025, by Angela Nichols of Centre, Alabama.)

Credits. This page was last revised on February 19, 2026. It was originally submitted on February 25, 2018, by Angela Nichols of Centre, Alabama. This page has been viewed 2,799 times since then and 148 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on February 25, 2018, by Angela Nichols of Centre, Alabama. 2. submitted on March 2, 2018, by Angela Nichols of Centre, Alabama. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.

Editor’s want-list for this marker. Wide shot of marker and its surroundings. • Can you help?