Tennessee

This property, and several of its improvements, is linked to Cherokee leader John Martin. Martin built the main house (on the opposite side of Dalton Pike) approximately 1835 after being driven out of Murray County, Georgia. Martin, who has been described as "a distinguished judge in the courts of the Cherokee Nation, and also the national treasurer," was forced to sell his property in 1837, just prior to the Cherokee Removal.

Hair Conrad was a Cherokee leader during the 1820s and 1830s. In 1838, he was selected to lead the first Cherokee detachment, which traveled the main (northern) route from Rattlesnake Springs (near Charleston, TN) to Indian Territory. This 20-foot by 22-foot two-story cabin was built about 1804, and except for the later addition of a kitchen, this log building still looks much as it did during the 30-plus years that Conrad lived here.

This non-profit history museum features interpretive panels and maps that tell the story of over 3000 North Carolina Cherokee prisoners in several detachments who camped and walked through Tellico Plains on the first leg of their journey to live in Indian Territory (Oklahoma). Visitors can view display cabinets of stone and clay tools and relics the local Overhill Cherokee used for farming, cooking, hunting, weapons and games.

“...the people…are moving not from choice to an unknown region not desired by them.” Elijah Hicks wrote these words to Chief John Ross while camped at Port Royal, Tennessee in October 1838. Port Royal was the last place over 10,000 Cherokees slept in Tennessee before crossing into Kentucky. They were travelling along the Great Western Road, part of the Northern Route, which ran from Nashville, Tennessee to Missouri. Visitors can walk about a 1/4 mile of that historic roadbed.

The American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions developed the area surrounding the site originally as a mission within the Cherokee Nation. The property, buildings, and improvements were purchased from John McDonald, the grandfather of Cherokee Chief John Ross. The mission was the principal mission among other, smaller ones within the Cherokee Nation, and served as a training ground for American Board staff.

At Audubon Acres, visitors can learn about the typical agricultural life and level of acculturation experienced by the Cherokee at the time of removal. The visitor center has exhibits on the Brainerd Mission site and on Cherokee culture.

This visitor center and art gallery, opened in May 2013, is owned by the Charleston-Calhoun Hiwassee Historical Society and is managed in conjunction with the Cleveland/Bradley Chamber of Commerce. The facility features a large number of interpretive panels that tell the story of the Trail of Tears in Charleston (a key removal site) and elsewhere in eastern Tennessee.

Blue Hole Spring, a natural landmark in the park, was used by the Cherokee for their water supply during council meetings. The 260-acre park contains a visitor center (James F. Corn Interpretive Center), theater, library, amphitheater, picnic shelter, and hiking trails. Replicas of 19th-century Cherokee buildings include a council house, farmhouse, barn, corn crib, and three sleeping huts.

Cherokee leader John Brown, who owned 640 acres in this area, ordered the construction of Browns Ferry Tavern in 1803. By the 1830s, Brown's land formed the boundary of the Cherokee Nation. In 1838, the road running past this structure was the route by which several Cherokee detachments were removed to present-day Oklahoma.

Ross’s Landing was the departure point for the first groups of Cherokees forced from their homeland on the Trail of Tears in 1838. Today, visitors can explore this scenic public park, view an art installation celebrating Cherokee culture, connect to walking and biking routes, and attend community events on the waterfront.