Decatur in Morgan County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)

Cherokee Trail Of Tears

Photographed by Ruth Wilson Wilcox, June 25, 2017

1. Cherokee Trail Of Tears Marker

Inscription. Of the various detachments that removed the Cherokee People from their home lands in the southeastern United States, three of them landed in Decatur at what became Rhodes Ferry Park. Due to the difficulty of navigating the Muscle Shoals portion of the Tennessee River, the Cherokee were transported from Decatur Landing to Tuscumbia Landing using the newly built Tuscumbia, Courtland, and Decatur Railroad. On March 7, 1837, the Major Ridge party docked at Decatur with 471 Cherokee. The Lt. Edward Deas detachment landed here on June 9, 1838 with 800 Cherokee, and on June 21, 1838, the Lt. Robert H.K. Whiteley detachment landed with 1000 Cherokee. Out of the three detachments, there was but one documented fatality in Decatur, that of an elderly Cherokee woman. A second documented fatality happened en route between Decatur and Tuscumbia involving a Cherokee man crushed by the train.

Erected 2015 by Alabama Historical Association.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Railroads & Streetcars • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included

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in the Alabama Historical Association, and the Trail of Tears series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1837.

Location. 34° 36.833′ N, 86° 58.785′ W. Marker is in Decatur, Alabama, in Morgan County. It can be reached from Oak Street north of Market Street. Located in Rhodes Ferry Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Decatur AL 35601, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is 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 walking distance of this marker: Site of Benson Field (a few steps from this marker); “Captain, We’ve Got It At Last” - The Charge of the 14th U.S. Colored Infantry (a few steps from

Photographed by Ruth Wilson Wilcox, June 25, 2017

2. Cherokee Trail Of Tears Marker

this marker); Fight For Survival (within shouting distance of this marker); Packed with People (within shouting distance of this marker); Words of Resistance (within shouting distance of this marker); Uprooted From Home (within shouting distance of this marker); Gold Star Families Memorial Monument (approx. 0.2 miles away); Confederate Leadership at Decatur - McCartney Hotel Site (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Decatur.

Photographed by Ruth Wilson Wilcox, June 25, 2017

3. Cherokee Trail Of Tears Marker

Decatur Landing Site image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Ruth Wilson Wilcox, June 25, 2017

4. Decatur Landing Site

Photographed by Ruth Wilson Wilcox, June 25, 2017

5. Decatur Landing Site

Credits. This page was last revised on October 10, 2019. It was originally submitted on October 10, 2019. This page has been viewed 1,355 times since then and 76 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on October 10, 2019.