Joy in Livingston County, Kentucky — The American South (East South Central)
Witness to History
Mantle Rock Preserve
— National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior —
Photographed By Shane Oliver, May 7, 2021
1. Witness to History Marker
This tree was only a seedling when the Cherokee paused here. Imagine the scene - it was a tree like this one that a weary Cherokee man sat against in a winter camp. His family struggled to make a simple, warm, resting place for his family elder, trying to keep him comfortable while they waited two weeks for the river to thaw and their journey to continue.
"Many of the aged Indians were suffering extremely from the fatigue of the journey, and the ill health consequent upon it. Several were then quite ill, and one aged man we were informed was then in the last struggles of death."
- New York Observer, January 26, 1839
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° 21.662′ N, 88° 25.632′ W. Marker is in Joy, Kentucky, in Livingston
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. A Changed Landscape (within shouting distance of this marker); A Winter Camp (approx. 0.2 miles away); Mantle Rock (1/2 Mile) (approx. ¼ mile away); The Original Route (approx. 0.3 miles away); Protect / Transform / Inspire (approx. 0.3 miles away); The Real Story of Mantle Rock (approx. 0.3 miles away); They Passed This Way (approx. 0.3 miles away); Exploring Mantle Rock (approx. 0.3 miles 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, Trail of Tears
Photographed By Shane Oliver, May 7, 2021
2. Witness to History Marker
The "witness tree" is the large tree directly behind this marker.
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 114 times since then and 28 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 4, 2021, by Shane Oliver of Richmond, Virginia. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
