Joy in Livingston County, Kentucky — The American South (East South Central)
Walk in Their Footsteps…
Mantle Rock Preserve
— Trail of Tears National Historic Trail, National Trails System —
"The Indians as a whole carry in their countenances every thing but the appearance of happiness. Some carry a downcast dejected look bordering on the appearance of despair…"
- New York Observer, January 26, 1839
The Cherokee walked the road in front of you, halfway through an 800 mile journey, feeling the loss of homeland and unsure of what lay ahead. Over 10,000 men, women, and children traveled this road during the winter of 1838-1839. Think of them as you hike this trail.
Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Native Americans • Roads & Vehicles. In addition, it is included in the Trail of Tears series list. A significant historical date for this entry is January 26, 1839.
Location. 37° 21.467′ N, 88° 25.314′ W. Marker is in Joy, Kentucky, in Livingston County. Marker is on Lola Road (Kentucky Route 133) 0.7 miles west of Cayne Road, on the left when traveling west. Marker is located along the 2.75-mile loop trail at the Mantle Rock Nature Preserve. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1877 Lola Rd, Smithland KY 42081, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Exploring Mantle Rock (within shouting distance of this marker); They Passed This Way (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Protect / Transform / Inspire (about 700 feet away); Mantle Rock (1/2 Mile) (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Real Story of Mantle Rock (approx. 0.3 miles away); A Changed Landscape (approx. 0.3 miles away); Witness to History (approx. 0.4 miles away); A Winter Camp (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Joy.
More about this marker. The Mantle Rock Nature Preserve is owned and operated by The Nature Conservancy, and contains a 2.75-mile walking trail. A portion of the trail follows an old road trace used by the Cherokee during the winter of 1838-1839. The National Park Service helped restore this portion of the trail by erecting interpretive exhibits along the old road trace.
Additional keywords. forced relocation
Credits. This page was last revised on June 8, 2021. It was originally submitted on June 4, 2021, by Shane Oliver of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 62 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 4, 2021, by Shane Oliver of Richmond, Virginia. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.