Fort Buffington State Historical Marker

Located on Ga. 20, Five Miles East of I-575, Cherokee County, Ga.

(Text)

 

FORT BUFFINGTON

 

One-half mile north is the site of Fort Buffington,

built in the 1830's by local militia. It was one of

about 25 stockades in the Cherokee Indian Nation

used by Federal and State troops during the

Cherokee Removal in 1838. In May and June, 1838,

7,000 soldiers forced over 15,000 Cherokee Indians

from their homes and held them in the stockades

until removal west could take place. Many Indians

from the local area were held at Fort Buffington.

As many as 4,000 Cherokees may have died

while in the stockades and on the 800 mile

journey west. Their ordeal has become known

as the "Trail of Tears."

 

028-6 GEORGIA HISTORICAL MARKER 1992

Photo: Ed Jackson