Near Birchwood in Hamilton County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)

Joseph Roark Homestead

Circa 1833

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, May 16, 2020

1. Joseph Roark Homestead Marker

Inscription. Joseph Roark and wife, Juda Ann Carr Roark, were among the original settlers of Cherokee lands of East Tennessee, moving into this area from Claiborne County in the early 1830's. This homestead, constructed with walls of split walnut logs and with chimneys of hand fired brick, was built circa 1833 and served as the principal dwelling of the Roark Family through four generations. As a major landowner in the area, by 1850 Joseph Roark owned and farmed over 1,000 acres surrounding the homestead. The original structure is being preserved and restored by Marleita Roark Carmichael and other children of William Groyer and Willie Myrtle Roark.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1833.

Location. 35° 18.953′ N, 85° 1.596′ W. Marker is near Birchwood, Tennessee, in Hamilton County. It is on Birchwood Pike (County Road 605) 0.1 miles north of Grasshopper Road, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 13406 Birchwood Pike, Birchwood TN 37308, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Southern Appalachia. 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 Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Site of Salem Baptist Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); Conner Cemetery (approx. 1.3 miles away); Hiwassee Campground (approx. 3.4 miles away); Dr. Luther Lee Friddell

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(approx. 3½ miles away); This Venerable Oak Tree (approx. 6.1 miles away); Native Americans of the Hiwassee Area (approx. 6.2 miles away); Blythe Ferry (approx. 6.3 miles away); General Winfield Scott (approx. 6.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Birchwood.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Trail of Tears Cherokee (was approx. 6.4 miles away but has been confirmed missing).

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker.

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, May 16, 2020

2. Joseph Roark Homestead Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on May 25, 2020. It was originally submitted on May 25, 2020, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 887 times since then and 62 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 25, 2020, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.