Trail of Tears Commemorative Park-Hopkinsville, KY
Posted by: 
snfromky
N 36° 51.166 W 087° 28.181
16S E 458128 N 4078642
Quick Description: A park to commemorate the tragic tragic Trail of Tears.
Location: Kentucky, United States
Date Posted: 7/17/2007 12:41:29 PM
Waymark Code: WM1W17
Views: 191
Long Description:This historic park is one of the few documented sites of actual
trail and campsites used during the forced removal of the Cherokee
people to "Indian Territory". It was used as an encampment in 1838
and 1839. This park is the burial site for two Cherokee Chiefs who
died during the removal - Fly Smith and Whitepath. This long, cruel
relocation has become known as the "Trail Of Tears" and by Native
Americans as "The Trail Where They Cried". In December 1987,
President Ronald Reagan signed a bill creating the Trail Of Tears
as a National Historical Trail and Hopkinsville KY is named in the
bill. In April, 1996 the National Park Service designated the park
as a certified site on the National Historic Trail Of Tears. Our
park is the first non-federal property to receive such designation.
Every year on the first full weekend after Labor Day, the Trail
Of Tears Commission sponsors an intertribal PowWow at the park. The
PowWow for 2007 will be held in September on the first full weekend
after Labor Day. A PowWow is many things....A gathering of Native
American people to celebrate their rich heritage; to socialize with
old friends and make new ones and an opportunity to expose
non-indians to the centuries old tradition of the various dances
and Native American crafts; and to educate the PowWow visitors with
story telling and Indian lore demonstrations.
