Cherokee Removal Memorial Park

    Phase I of the park, the board walk and wildlife overlook shelters on top of the bluff are complete and open.
    A federal grant, secured by Congressman Wamp, along with a Tennessee state committed grant will build the Visitors Center and Cherokee Genealogical Library which will be Phase II.
    Phase III of the park will be the Memorial Wall (shown below). If you or your corporation would like to contribute to the Wall construction, please call (423) 334-5850 or write to Friends of the Park, P.O. Box 611, Decatur, TN 37322.

 
Phase III Rendering

   One of the worst acts of “mans inhumanity to man” took place when an entire race of peoples were driven from their lands in 1838. It was here at the Blythe Ferry that approximately 9,000 Cherokees and Creeks camped while waiting to cross the Tennessee River on their forced removal. They had been held captive in stockades a few miles back. Many books have been written on the heart wrenching description of what is now called “The Trail of Tears.” Butrick’s Journal describes their condition in the camps as, “very much like brute animals-being down on the naked ground exposed to wind and rain-like droves of hogs.” Butrick also states, “But not only the Cherokees-the dear Creeks and Seminoles have fallen by the same means, fictitious treaties.” He speaks of “Nanny as a slave” so this shows the diversity among the attachments. A mental picture of what happened here at Blythe Ferry can be drawn from these exerpts:

Oct. 16th, 1838-“10 o’clock AM,” “We have only succeeded in getting some twenty wagons across the river-propietors of the Ferry-are determined to retard all exertions.”
J. Powell

The last detachment crossed November 12, 1838. “I reached Blythe’s Ferry on Saturday, November 10-found the great body of Mr. (Peter) Hildebrand’s detachment of emigrating Cherokees quietly encamped-about twelve wagons had crossed-at dawn four boats were put in requisition and continued-until dusk-close of the day about sixty waggons-across-this morning before 12 o’clock eighteen waggons and all the people were over ”To Winsfield Scott.”
     This park is dedicated in memory to these peoples. May it serve as a touchstone for future generations.

Blythe Ferry

Directions to the Cherokee Removal Memorial Park