Fort Payne in DeKalb County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)

Wills Town Mission

Photographed by Tim Carr, June 15, 2008

1. Wills Town Mission Marker

Inscription.
The mission was established in 1823 by the American Board of Missions to further education and Christianity among the Cherokee Indians. Mission operated until the Indian removal in 1838.

Grave site of Reverend Ard Hoyt, first superintendent, marks the location of the mission near the corner of 38th Street and Godfrey Avenue.

Erected 1983 by Alabama Historical Association.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the Alabama Historical Association series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1823.

Location. Marker has been reported missing. It was located near 34° 26.615′ N, 85° 43.199′ W. Marker was in Fort Payne, Alabama, in DeKalb County. It was on Gault Avenue North (U.S. 11) east of 4th Street, on the right when traveling east. Marker is located in Union Park near the water fountain. Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: Fort Payne AL 35968, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker was in North

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Alabama.

It was also in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it was in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it found 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 walking distance of this location: Whittler's Corner (within shouting distance of this marker); Alabama (within shouting distance of this marker); Confederate Monument (within shouting distance of this marker); Fort Payne Opera House (about 400 feet away); Sequoyah | Socks | Song | Scenery (about 500 feet away); Fort Payne Residential Historic District (about 800 feet away); Main Street Historic District (approx. 0.3 miles away); Cherokee Indian Removal (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fort Payne.

Other markers no longer nearby. Sequoyah (was here, next to this marker but has been confirmed

Photographed by Tom Bosse, November 25, 2016

2. Wills Town Mission Marker

The Wills Town Mission Marker is the middle marker.

missing); Fort Payne’s Fort (was here, next to this marker but has been confirmed missing); Boom Town Historic District (was about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line but has been confirmed missing).

Credits. This page was last revised on December 11, 2024. It was originally submitted on February 27, 2010, by Timothy Carr of Birmingham, Alabama. This page has been viewed 2,479 times since then and 34 times this year. Last updated on November 29, 2024, by Edward Troxel of Creal Springs, Illinois. Photos: 1. submitted on February 27, 2010, by Timothy Carr of Birmingham, Alabama. 2. submitted on November 27, 2016, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.