Near Ringgold in Catoosa County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)

Trail of Tears Memorial

Photographed by Dale K. Benington, August 6, 2014

1. Trail of Tears Memorial Marker

Inscription.
In 1838 federal soldiers forced the Cherokee to march from Georgia to the Indian Territory. That area would later be known as Oklahoma.

Thousands died on the march, which began in the midst of a drought and continued into a harsh winter. This march would later be known as the Trail of Tears.

Many Cherokee and their families from our community were forced to leave their homes and join the march. They would have traveled along the old federal road which passed by this church.

This is a memorial to all of the lives that were lost on the trail of Tears.

Topics. This historical marker and memorial is listed in these topic lists: Disasters • Indigenous Peoples and Communities. A significant historical year for this entry is 1838.

Location. 34° 54.386′ N, 85° 4.632′ W. Marker is near Ringgold, Georgia, in Catoosa County. It is at the intersection of Catoosa Parkway and Chattanooga Road (U.S. 41), on the right when traveling west on Catoosa Parkway. This historical marker is located in a roadside park, that features several historical markers and an Old Stone Church. The text of this historical marker is cut into a flat, polished stone and then affixed to a pile of smaller cut and uncut stones. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 39 Catoosa Pkwy, Tunnel Hill GA 30755, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker and memorial is in Georgia’s Mountains. It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Deep South.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

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 original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers.

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At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Stone Church (a few steps from this marker); Stone Church And Catoosa Station (a few steps from this marker); Old Stone Presbyterian Church (within shouting distance of this marker); Old Federal Road (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Cherokee Springs Confederate Hospital (approx. 0.9 miles away); Catoosa Springs Confederate Hospitals (approx. 1.4 miles away); Confederate General Patrick Cleburne's Emancipation Proposal (approx. 1½ miles away); General Patrick R. Cleburne Memorial (approx. 1½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Ringgold.

Photographed by Dale K. Benington, August 6, 2014

2. Trail of Tears Memorial Marker

A close-up view of the historical marker.

Photographed by Dale K. Benington, August 6, 2014

3. Trail of Tears Memorial Marker

View of the historical marker looking east along the walking path that leads to the Old Stone Church.

Photographed by Dale K. Benington, August 6, 2014

4. Trail of Tears Memorial Marker

View of the historical marker (back extreme left of picture) looking at the Old Stone Church park grounds.

Photographed by Dale K. Benington, August 6, 2014

5. Trail of Tears Memorial Marker

View of the historical marker looking west at the parking lot area.

Photographed by Dale K. Benington, August 6, 2014

6. Trail of Tears Memorial Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on August 4, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 6, 2014, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio. This page has been viewed 1,101 times since then and 36 times this year. Last updated on October 4, 2022, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on August 6, 2014, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.