Trail of Tears Memorial & Interpretive Trail

Trail of Tears - 100 Historic 66 East, Waynesville

From 1837 to 1839 the US Government forced the Cherokee and four other Indian nations to leave their homelands and relocate to Indian Territory in present-day Oklahoma. Principal Chief John Ross petitioned General Scott to let the Cherokee control their own removal. Ross organized detachments of about 1,000 each and the Cherokee traveled by foot, horse, and wagon for 800 miles, taking up to eight months to reach Indian Territory. Two of these detachments camped at Roubidoux Spring in Waynesville- in December 1837 and March 1839.