Port Royal State Park

"They walked this way..." Visit Port Royal to experience a section of the Trail of Tears NHT.

NPS Photo

Quick Facts

Location:

3300 Old Clarksville Hwy. Adams, TN 37010

Significance:

In late 1838, Port Royal was the last place over 10,000 Cherokees slept in Tennessee before crossing into Kentucky on the Northern Route of the Trail of Tears. The road the Cherokees walked weaves through the historic town of Port Royal and a section of the road is preserved across the river from the townsite.

Designation:

Certified Site, Tennessee State Historic Park, National Register of Historic Places

MANAGED BY:

Tennessee State Parks

Amenities

2 listed

Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits, Trailhead/Hiker Register

The Great Western Road ran from Nashville to the west and was part of the Northern Removal Route. The road runs straight through Port Royal. In 1837, B.B. Cannon led a voluntary removal party of around 300 Cherokee on the Northern Route, where they camped near Port Royal on the Red River. The party purchased 131 lbs. of flour and 11 bushels of corn meal from the Port Royal Mills.

The next year, the U.S. Army forcibly removed thousands of Cherokees. In 1838, Port Royal was the last place over 10,000 Cherokees slept in Tennessee before crossing into Kentucky. While stopped here, detachment leader Elijah Hicks wrote a letter to Chief John Ross describing how the Cherokees were faring. Hicks said that “the people are very loathe to go on and unusually slow in preparing for starting each morning…” for “ they are moving not from choice to an unknown region not desired by them.” Hicks also mentions that Chief White Path was in poor health. White Path died days later in Hopkinsville, KY.

Hicks was confident that his detachment would reach Indian Territory by December. However, due to cold and illness it took a month longer than expected. When they reached Port Royal, TN in late October they were less than halfway there.

Site Information

Location (3300 Old Clarksville Hwy. Adams, TN 37010)
Safety Considerations

Visitors can take a guided tour with a park ranger to learn more about the Trail of Tears, or visit on their own and walk the 0.18 of a mile of historic roadbed.

Tours are typically offered by the park on the weekends. Tour spots can be reserved through the Tennessee State Parks website.

More Site Information

Trail of Tears National Historic Trail