Jacksonville in Pulaski County, Arkansas — The American South (West South Central)
The Trail of Tears through Jacksonville
Trail of Tears National Historic Trail
— National Trails System —
-Arkansas Gazette, February 23, 1831
A Passage to the West
Thousands of Cherokee, Choctaw, Chickasaw and Muscogee Creek Indians passed by where you are standing as they were forced from their ancestral lands in the east and cross the hundreds of miles to Indian Territory (modern-day Oklahoma). Hundreds would die during the trek, and thousands of others would not survive the hardships of establishing their new homes Local settler Samson Gray, whose home stood northeast of here, contracted with the United States government to supply corn, beef and sait for the displaced Native Americans, as well as oxen to pull their wagons and fodder for their livestock.
"The vast and prodigious efforts made by the general government to rid the interior of our Union of the presence of Indian tribes, have made our State for the present, nothing but a thoroughfare, a theatre, for the march of these tribes to their new homes in the west."
Erected by Department of Arkansas Heritage, Arkansas State Parks, National Park Service.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Native Americans • Notable Events. In addition, it is included in the Trail of Tears series list. A significant historical date for this entry is February 23, 1831.
Location. 34° 51.133′ N, 92° 6.796′ W. Marker is in Jacksonville, Arkansas, in Pulaski County. Marker can be reached from the intersection of East Trickey Lane and Military Road. Located within Heritage Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 300 East Trickey Lane, Jacksonville AR 72076, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Memphis to Little Rock Railroad (here, next to this marker); They Passed This Way (a few steps from this marker); The Brigade Moved Forward (a few steps from this marker); Memphis Military Road (within shouting distance of this marker); Shared Gray Jacob Gray (within shouting distance of this marker); Battle of Reed's Bridge (within shouting distance of this marker); Our Batteries Opened a Tremendous Fire (approx. 0.4 miles away); A Gallant Charge (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Jacksonville.
Also see . . . Encyclopedia of Arkansas History & Culture - Trail of Tears National Historic Trail. (Submitted on April 18, 2018, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.)
Credits. This page was last revised on September 9, 2020. It was originally submitted on April 18, 2018, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 723 times since then and 97 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 18, 2018, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.