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Fort Payne Cabin Historic Site: A Window to the Trail of Tears

Explore the poignant history of the Cherokee Nation at the Fort Payne Cabin Historic Site, a certified site on the Trail of Tears.

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The Fort Payne Cabin Historic Site marks a poignant location tied to the Cherokee removal in the 1830s. Here, a cabin seized by federal troops as part of Fort Payne stands as a reminder of the Trail of Tears. Visitors can see the remains of the cabin's foundation, chimney, and a historic well, offering a tangible connection to this sorrowful chapter in American history.

A brief summary to Fort Payne Cabin Historic Site

Local tips

  • Visit the site to pay respects to those who suffered during the Trail of Tears.
  • Take time to read the informative signs detailing the history of the cabin and its role in the Cherokee removal.
  • Combine your visit with other historical sites in Fort Payne, such as the Fort Payne Depot Museum.
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Getting There

  • Walking

    The Fort Payne Cabin Historic Site is located at the end of 4th Street S. and Gault Ave in Fort Payne, Alabama. From downtown Fort Payne, head south on Gault Avenue. Turn left onto 4th Street S.E. The site is located at the end of the road. There is no admission fee.

  • Driving

    From Interstate 59, take exit 218 for Fort Payne. Follow the signs to Fort Payne. Once in Fort Payne, follow Gault Avenue south. Turn left onto 4th Street S.E. The site is located at the end of the road. Parking is free and available on-site.

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Discover more about Fort Payne Cabin Historic Site

The Fort Payne Cabin Historic Site offers a somber yet important glimpse into the history of the Cherokee removal and the Trail of Tears. Located in Fort Payne, Alabama, this site was once part of a larger military complex established in 1837 to forcibly remove Cherokee Indians from their homes. The site centers around a cabin believed to have belonged to John Huss (Spirit the Preacher), a Cherokee minister. Built around 1825, the cabin was seized by federal troops and incorporated into Fort Payne, one of many stockades used to hold Cherokee people before their forced relocation. While the cabin itself was demolished in 1946, remnants of its past remain. Visitors can still see the stone fireplace, the outline of the cabin's foundation, and a stacked stone well. In the summer of 1838, over 1,100 Cherokee people were held in open encampments at Fort Payne, awaiting their journey west. The majority of Cherokee people forced to leave Alabama departed from this location. A detachment led by Cherokee leader John Benge began their 800-mile journey to Indian Territory from here in September 1838. This journey, known as the Trail of Tears, represents a tragic chapter in American history, and the Fort Payne Cabin Historic Site serves as a place for reflection and remembrance. Today, the site is a certified historic site on the Trail of Tears National Historic Trail.

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