Cleveland in Bradley County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)
The Cherokee Today
Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, March 28, 2026
1. The Cherokee Today Marker
Due to the removal of southeastern Native Americans from their homelands, the Cherokee tribe was divided into the Cherokee Nation, the United Keetoowah Band, and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. These three tribes are recognized today by the federal government.
The Cherokee Nation
The Cherokee Nation consists of the descendants of the Trail of Tears survivors. The capital of the Cherokee Nation is located in Tahlequah, Oklahoma.
Today, the Cherokee Nation has 450,000+ citizens.
The United Keetoowah Band
The United Keetoowah Band is made up of the descendants of the Cherokee who moved westward to Oklahoma before the Trail of Tears. They are headquartered in Tahlequah, Oklahoma.
Today, the United Keetoowah Band has 14,300+ citizens.
The Eastern Band
The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians - primarily comprises the descendants of the approximately 800 Cherokee living along the Oconaluftee River in North Carolina. The capital of the Eastern Band is located in Cherokee, North Carolina.
Today, the Eastern Band has 16,000+ citizens.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic
this page online
Location. 34° 59.654′ N, 84° 56.745′ W. Marker is in Cleveland, Tennessee, in Bradley County. It can be reached from Red Clay Park Road Southwest north of Godfrey Lane, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1140 Red Clay Park Road SW, Cleveland TN 37311, 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 walking distance of this marker: The Eternal Flame (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Sleeping Huts (about
Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, March 28, 2026
2. The Cherokee Today Marker
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.
