Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Trail Of Tears Route Honored

Trail of Tears routes in Arkansas have been designated one of 50 Millennium Legacy Trails in the United States. The Millennium Trails initiative is a collaborative effort of the White House Millennium Council, the U.S. Department of Transportation and Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC).

The First Lady serves as honorary chair of the Millennium Trails Celebration Committee.

American Express Company has contributed $500,000 and is a cornerstone in the Millennium Trails public-private partnership. The National Endowment for the Arts has contributed $520,000 to support community-centered arts projected linked with the Millennium Legacy Trails project.

"Millennium Trails is a national initiative to create, enhance and celebrate more than 2,000 trails as part of America's legacy for the new millennium," the First Lady said. "These 50 Millennium Legacy trails symbolize the spirit of our efforts to connect our nation's culture, heritage and communities."

Arkansas's Trail of Tears routes are the routes taken by the five Southeastern Native American tribes that were forcefully removed through Arkansas between the years 1820 and 1840. In passing through Arkansas, the tribes were on their way to Indian Territory, present-day Oklahoma.

Arkansas has the distinction of being the only state through which all five tribes passed during the removal process. The tribes include Cherokee, Choctaw, Creek, Chickasaw and Seminole.

"We are so pleased the Trail of Tears routes will be a part of the Millennium Legacy Trails," said Cathie Matthews, director of the Department of Arkansas Heritage. "The Trail of Tears is a very important part of our state's heritage. This designation will help us highlight the trails' importance and honor the many people who passed along its way."

Communities touched by removal of tribes to Indian Territory include Helena, Camden, Little Rock, Old Washington, Fort Smith, Cadron, Batesville, Pea Ridge and Fayetteville. Areas through which the tribes moved include south Arkansas, the Arkansas River Valley, the Grand Prairie and the Ozarks.

Plans are underway to place wayside markers (both state markers and the official White House Millennium Legacy Trail markers) at various communities and sites associated with removal. This will take place throughout the years 2000 and 2001.

If you are interested in the program or contributing information about the Trail of Tears, contact Lea Baker, education coordinator, Department of Arkansas Heritage, 1500 Tower Building, 323 Center, Little Rock, AR 72201, or call 501-324-9150.