SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — A project to convert an overgrown railroad bed into a hiking and biking trail will honor the thousands of American Indians who died there in the 1830s, volunteers said.
The Trail of Tears was part of a northern route that American Indians used when they were forced off their eastern lands and made to walk to what is now Oklahoma. The Ozark Greenways group hopes to have the new recreational trail along the route through southwest Springfield and Greene County completed by the end of the year.
Ozark Greenways officials say signs will be posted along the trail to explain its importance in the history of the area.
"There are not many sections of the Trail of Tears that look and feel the way it did when the people walked it," said Jack Shryock, a member of the southeastern Cherokee of Georgia who helped clear the trail this week.
"This is something that's very meaningful to us, to be able to walk these grounds that our people walked on many years ago and the suffering that they went through," he said. "We're feeling some of that as we stand on these trails and paths. We just want to do everything we can to bring this to the attention of everybody who has the heart to feel this is important to them, as it is to us."
Eventually the Trail of Tears Greenway will run from the city of Battlefield to just south of Nathanael Greene Park, connecting with the South Creek Greenway.
Terry Whaley, executive director of Ozark Greenways, said the history of the trail will be respected.
"This is an opportunity to interpret the cultural experience that happened here," Whaley said. "Over time, we've already disfigured the actual route of the Trail of Tears, with railroads and subdivisions. We hope this trail will be the closest representation of where the Cherokee walked and will give us a chance to tell the story of the Trail of Tears to a whole new generation of people."
Whaley said Cherokee Nation leaders will be invited to dedicate the trail.
Historians estimate more than 13,000 Cherokee passed through the Ozarks from their lands in the Tennessee, North Carolina and Georgia mountains to the designated Indian Territory in present-day Oklahoma. At least 4,500 Cherokee died.
~~~
AP Source: The Springfield News-Leader
Officials: Tsarnaev Friend Linked to Slaying
Obama:Sexual Assault Threatens Trust in Military
Bridge Collapse Survivor: 'Rough Day'
Jersey Shore Open for Business
Raw: Memorial Day Flags Placed at Arlington
New Wheelchair Lift Promises More Access
First Person: Mom Discusses Famous Tornado Photo
Raw Video: Washington State Bridge Collapse
Boy Scouts Approve Plan to Accept Gay Boys
Officials: Truck Hit Bridge Before Collapse
Sheriff: No Sign Killing of 2 Kids Was Planned
Obama Defends Drone Strikes, With Limits
Raw: Jurors Deadlock on Jodi Arias Penalty
Boy Scouts Decision "First Step" Say Activists
Raw: Utah Teen Arrested in Death of His Brothers
Closer Look at Okla. School Where Children Died
Two Suspects in Murder Known to London Police
"Be Ready": NOAA Warns of Busy Hurricane Season
SeaWorld: Penguins Are Coolest Thing in Florida
AK-47-wielding thug may be the most bumbling crook ever
Oklahoma Survivors, Heroes Survey Damage
Trout's cycle a boost for Angels
Raw: New Video of Deadly Oklahoma Tornado
Kim Kardashian Flaunts Pregnant Bikini Body in Greece
NBA star pledges $1M to help tornado recovery
Shakira's Shocking Talent
Morgan Freeman falls asleep on air
GRAPHIC: Blood-Soaked Machete Killer Caught on Tape
Elin Nordegren Furious With Lindsey Vonn For Parading Kids in Public
Camera Captures Climber As He Loses Grip And Falls
Helen Mirren Meets with Dying Boy in Queen Elizabeth's Place
Crowd Chants '¡Si, Se Puede!' After Passage of Immigration Bill
DWTS Crowns a Winner
Police Ram House to End Hostage Standoff
Demi Moore a Rocks Bikini at Harry Morton's Family House
Anthony Weiner: I'm running for New York City mayor
Kate Middleton's Dress Flies Up
VIRAL: Baby makes epic soccer goal
The Hangover Baby All Grown Up
