Decatur in Morgan County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)

The Land of the Indians

1773

Photographed by Sandra Hughes Tidwell, March 25, 2025

1. The Land of the Indians 1773 Marker

Inscription. In 1773, the future site of Decatur lay in the southern part of a large hunting territory held jointly by the Chickasaw and Cherokee Indians. This "Great Hunting Ground" was made up of the vast, middle region of what is now Tennessee, Kentucky, and a narrow strip of North Alabama.

Early historians called the Tennessee River Valley "The most wonderful game preserve ever to exist upon the earth."

In the 1700's buffalo roamed over the plains of the Tennessee River Valley in countless numbers. Their paths were knee deep and radiated in every direction from the many licks in the county. Deer, elk, and wild turkeys were abundant, with as many as sixty deer counted in a single herd. The Tennessee River swarmed with fish, and its bottom was strewn with mussels and periwinkle.

Early Settlers of Alabama by James Edmonds Sanders and Elizabeth Saunders Blair Stubbs.

Legend
• Indian Town
• Colonial Town
• Fort
• Path
• Treaty Boundary Line
• British/Spanish Boundary
• Modern State Border
• Modern Alabama Border
• Tennessee River
• Creek/Seminole Nation
• British Colony
• Choctaw/Chickasaw/Cherokee Nations

Drawings of Chiefs
• Cherokee Nation - Chief Ostenaco of the Cherokee
• Chickasaw Nation - Chickasaw War Chief
• Creek Nation - Creek War Chief
• Seminoles - Mico Chlucco, King of the Seminoles

Topics.

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This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Indigenous Peoples and Communities. A significant historical year for this entry is 1773.

Location. 34° 35.844′ N, 86° 58.625′ W. Marker is in Decatur, Alabama, in Morgan County. It is at the intersection of Gordon Drive Southeast and 8th Ave SE on Gordon Drive Southeast. Marker is near the Children's playground in Delano Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 825 Gordon Dr SE, Decatur AL 35601, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in North Alabama.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

in Appalachia,

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

a Gulf of Mexico state,

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 Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Health and Civic Welfare (within shouting distance

The Land of the Indians Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, July 26, 2025

2. The Land of the Indians Marker

of this marker); Recreation and Refreshment (within shouting distance of this marker); Carolyn Cortner Smith (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Beauty and Hope (about 600 feet away); Social and Cultural Opportunities (approx. 0.2 miles away); Albany (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named Albany (approx. ¼ mile away); the "Chicago of the South" (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Decatur.

Also see . . .
1. Ostenaco. Wikipedia entry:
Ostenaco, headman of Tommotley, also known as (Mankiller) and ‘Judd’s or Judge’s Friend,’ was a prominent chief during the Cherokee Wars, a rival of Attakullakulla. (Submitted on October 7, 2025, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

2. ico Chlucco the Long Warrior, or King of the Siminoles. Travels through North and South Carolina, Georgia, East and West Florida, the Cherokee country, the extensive territories of the Muscogulges or Creek confederacy, and the country of the Chactaws. Containing an account of the soil and natural productions of those regions; together with observations on the manners of the Indians

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... By William Bartram (Submitted on April 6, 2025, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA.)

Credits. This page was last revised on October 7, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 6, 2025, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. This page has been viewed 271 times since then and 57 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on April 6, 2025, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. 2. submitted on August 8, 2025, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.