Riverfront in Chattanooga in Hamilton County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)
Trail of Tears
Photographed by Tom Gillard, August 15, 2010
1. Trail of Tears Marker
In late June 1838 a party of 1,070 poorly equipped Indians was marched overland from Ross' Landing at Chattanooga, TN, to Waterloo, AL because of low water in the upper Tennessee River. Following the general route of present-day U.S. Hwy. 72, they camped at Bolivar, Bellefonte, and Woodville (Jackson County, AL). About 300 escaped along the way, and on June 26, the remainder refused to proceed from Bellefonte. The local militia, under the command of Army Capt. G.S. Drane, was called out to get the group started and escort it to Waterloo. Arriving in miserable condition on July 10, 1838, the Cherokees were placed on boats to continue their journey West.
The "Trail of Tears", which resulted from the Indian Removal Act passed by U.S. Congress in 1830, is one of the darkest chapters in American history.
This historical marker will forever mark the beginning
this page online
Erected by Alabama - Tennessee Trail of Tears Corridor Committee.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Indigenous Peoples and Communities. In addition, it is included in the Trail of Tears series list. A significant historical month for this entry is May 1838.
Location. 35° 3.393′ N, 85° 18.6′ W. Marker is in Chattanooga, Tennessee, in Hamilton County. It is in Riverfront. It is on Riverfront Parkway, on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Chattanooga TN 37402, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is 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: Stickball / Seven Sisters (a few steps from this marker); Ross's Landing (within shouting distance of this marker); Tennessee Valley Authority (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Welcome to Chattanooga (about 400 feet away); Chattanooga's First Citizens (about 400 feet away); Flooding Along the Tennessee River (about 500 feet away); a different marker also named Ross's Landing (about 500 feet away); "Cherokee" (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chattanooga.
Other markers no longer nearby. 1790 John Ross 1866 (was about 400 feet away but has been confirmed missing); Headquarters of Major General U. S. Grant, U.S.A.
Photographed by Tom Gillard, August 15, 2010
2. Trail of Tears Marker
Also see . . . Trail of Tears. (Submitted on October 17, 2010, by Tom Gillard of Tullahoma, Tennessee.)
Photographed by Dale K. Benington, August 6, 2014
3. Trail of Tears Marker
View of the marker, looking east along Riverfront Parkway.
Photographed by Tom Gillard, August 15, 2010
4. TN River bridge
Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 17, 2010, by Tom Gillard of Tullahoma, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 3,081 times since then and 102 times this year. Last updated on March 18, 2015, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 17, 2010, by Tom Gillard of Tullahoma, Tennessee. 3. submitted on June 10, 2015, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio. 4. submitted on October 17, 2010, by Tom Gillard of Tullahoma, Tennessee. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
