Ducktown in Polk County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)

The Old Copper Road

Photographed by Tom Bosse, July 26, 2025

1. The Old Copper Road Marker

Inscription. You are entering the last existing segment of the Old Copper Road. Constructed between 1851 and 1853 to connect the copper mines in the Copper Basin with the railhead in Cleveland, Tennessee, this portion of the road (2.4 miles in length) has been restored to its near-original condition and is designated a historic property listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This historic corridor is protected under the terms of the Archaeological Resource Protection Act (36 CFR 296.4). It is illegal to deface, carve, paint or excavate features or structures or disturb vegetation under the terms stipulated in 36 CFR 296.14-17. Please help maintain this historic resource.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Roads & Vehicles. A significant historical year for this entry is 1851.

Location. 35° 3.973′ N, 84° 27.694′ W. Marker is in Ducktown, Tennessee, in Polk County. It is on U.S. 64, on the left when traveling west. Marker is located at the trailhead of the Old Copper Road Trail near the remains of the Ocoee Whitewater Center. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Ducktown TN 37326,

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United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in East Tennessee.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in 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 Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Traveling the Old Copper Road (a few steps from this marker); Cherokee Heritage Trails (within shouting distance of this marker); The Heyday for Fire Towers (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Tennessee Society DAR Memorial Forest (approx. 3.4 miles away); Ball Field (approx. 5.1 miles away); Clinic (approx. 5.1 miles away); Company Houses (approx. 5.1 miles away); Walkway Tunnel (approx. 5.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Ducktown.

Related markers. Click here for a list

Photographed by Tom Bosse, July 26, 2025

2. The Old Copper Road Marker

of markers that are related to this marker.

The Old Copper Road and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tom Bosse, July 26, 2025

3. The Old Copper Road and Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on July 29, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 27, 2025, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 107 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 27, 2025, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.