Red Boiling Springs in Macon County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)

The Cumberland Trace

A Native American Trail

Photographed by Chad Comer

1. The Cumberland Trace Marker

Inscription. Named by early pioneers traversing thru the region, this designated Indian trail led these settlers into this area during Western migration. This mainly Cherokee trail, (although used some by the Shawnee), originated at Rockwood in Roane County, Tennessee. It meandered northward into Jackson County where it forked. One prong went through Smith, Trousdale, and Sumner Counties to its' destination at Nashville. The other section continued through Jackson County and the Indian villages there to emerge at two sites in Macon County. The lower leg entered at the county's extreme southeastern corner and the upper leg entered above Jennings Creek. The two joined south of Red Boiling Springs and thence traveled west of there to Monroe County, Kentucky where the trail crossed the Macon County line in the proximity of White Oak, Long and Salt Lick Creeks. The trace reached its' end at the Indian settlements on the Green and Barren Rivers in Southern Kentucky. Daniel Boone followed the Cumberland Trace during his explorations thru here.

Erected by Macon County Historical Society.

Topics. This historical marker is listed

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in these topic lists: Exploration • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Settlements & Settlers • Waterways & Vessels.

Location. 36° 31.861′ N, 85° 50.932′ W. Marker is in Red Boiling Springs, Tennessee, in Macon County. It is on East Main Street (Tennessee Route 151), on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 222 East Main Street, Red Boiling Springs TN 37150, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Middle Tennessee

and in the Highland Rim.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once 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: The Big Barren Buffalo Road (here, next to this marker); 'Little Red Well' (a few steps from this marker); Gaines Boarding House

Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, August 21, 2021

2. The Cumberland Trace Marker

(within shouting distance of this marker); J.B. Brusher Handle Factory (within shouting distance of this marker); Bush's Planeing Mill (within shouting distance of this marker); Bush's Ax Handle Mill (within shouting distance of this marker); Armour's Hotel Bed and Breakfast (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Moss Bowling Alley (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Red Boiling Springs.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 25, 2021. It was originally submitted on January 10, 2011, by Chad Comer of Gamaliel, Kentucky. This page has been viewed 1,416 times since then and 64 times this year. Last updated on August 22, 2021, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. Photos: 1. submitted on January 10, 2011, by Chad Comer of Gamaliel, Kentucky. 2. submitted on August 22, 2021, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.