Cape Girardeau in Cape Girardeau County, Missouri — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

1838

Trail of Tears

Photographed by Edward Troxel, November 16, 2024

1. 1838 Marker

Inscription. In 1830, the U.S. Congress passed the INDIAN REMOVAL ACT, which led to the forced relocation of eastern CHEROKEE tribes to Indian territory west of the Mississippi River. Between 1838 and 1839, the U.S. government forced thousands of Cherokees to move from their homes in Georgia, North Carolina and Tennessee to present-day OKLAHOMA. In the autumn of 1838, sixteen separate groups of Cherokee - about 16,000 in total - began the 1,000-MILE overland journey to the west. The loss of life on the trail was high: Nearly 4,000-25 percent - died on the way.

This mural portrays tribe members traveling through the harsh winter. Fifteen of the groups crossed the Mississippi River north of Cape Girardeau at what is now TRAIL OF TEARS STATE PARK. Area residents were reported to have provided baskets of food to the Cherokee caught up in this tragic event, now called Trail of Tears.

TRAIL OF TEARS STATE PARK
Located just 11 miles north of this panel, Trail of Tears State Park offers scenic overlooks of the Mississippi River as well as a visitor's center that further tells the tale of the thousands who died on the forced march.

Topics.

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Indigenous Peoples and Communities. A significant historical year for this entry is 1838.

Location. 37° 18.315′ N, 89° 31.058′ W. Marker is in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, in Cape Girardeau County. It is on North Water Street, on the right when traveling north. Marker is located along the Mississippi River Tales Mural covering the downtown floodwall. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Cape Girardeau MO 63701, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Missouri. It is also in the American Ozarks,

in the Lewis & Clark Corridor,

in the Corn Belt,

and in the Great River Road Region.

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,

the Louisiana Purchase,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 7 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: A different marker also named 1821 (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named 1861 (a few steps from

Photographed by Edward Troxel, November 16, 2024

2. 1838 Marker

this marker); a different marker also named 1863 (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named 1804 (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named 1870 (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named 1803 (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named 1875 (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cape Girardeau.

Other markers no longer nearby. 1838 (has been replaced with this marker); 1821 (was a few steps from this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); 1861 (was a few steps from this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); 1863 (was a few steps from this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); 1804 (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); 1870 (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); 1803 (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); 1875

Paid Advertisement

(was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); 1793 (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. Old Marker At This Location also titled "1838".

Credits. This page was last revised on December 28, 2024. It was originally submitted on December 21, 2024, by Edward Troxel of Creal Springs, Illinois. This page has been viewed 205 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 21, 2024, by Edward Troxel of Creal Springs, Illinois. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.