Cleveland in Bradley County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)
Sleeping Huts
Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, March 28, 2026
1. Sleeping Huts Marker
Some of the Cherokees and their visitors at the council meetings stayed in sleeping huts like these three replicas. The huts lacked windows, doors, and chinking.
George W. Featherstonhaugh, an English geologist working with the United States Bureau of Topographical Engineers, made three extensive survey trips between 1834 and 1837. In 1837, he attended the October Cherokee Council here at Red Clay as his third expedition.
"... the most impressive feature, and that which imparted life to the whole, was an unceasing current of Cherokee Indians, men, women, youth and children, moving about in every direction, and in the greatest order; and all except the younger ones, preserving a grave and thoughtful demeanor imposed upon them by the singular position in which they were placed, and by the trying alternative now presented to them of delivering up their native country to their oppressors, or perishing in a vain resistance."
-George William Featherstonhaugh
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Exploration • Indigenous Peoples and Communities. A significant historical year for this entry is 1834.
Location. 34° 59.597′ N,
this page online
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 walking distance of this marker: A Visitor's Account (a few steps from this marker); Red Clay Council (within shouting distance of this marker); Cherokee Farmstead (within shouting distance of this marker); Inside the Farmhouse (within shouting distance of this marker);
Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, March 28, 2026
2. Sleeping Huts Marker (marker in foreground)
Credits. This page was last revised on April 15, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 9, 2026, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. This page has been viewed 11 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 10, 2026, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
Editor’s want-list for this marker. Transcription of the Cherokee script • Can you help?
