Trail of Tears Interpretive Center in Pulaski, Tennessee
The Indian Removal Act was signed on May 28th, 1830, by a man who was from Tennessee. President Andrew Jackson signed the act so the southern states' boundaries were to exchange the native lands for the government's designated land for the native tribes. This removal of Native Americans was called the "Trail of Tears," and the routes they took were assigned to the men who marched the native tribes out of their homelands into the reservations in what is now the state of Oklahoma. The Trail of Tears led by John Bell had just passed the city of Pulaski from East to West when John Benge led his group from North to South making the place where the two trails crossed in an X pattern. In the middle of this X is the bridge where the two groups walked across. The end pieces are still here to this day. The Trail of Tears Interpretive Center tells the story of the forced migration and return of the first peoples.
Inside the Trail of Tears Interpretive Center
Inside the gallery above is what you will see inside the center. You will see many actual artifacts from the local area Native Americans. The large boards let the reader know what the influential politicians believed about the removal act and how their history played out because of it. David Crockett stood against fellow Tennessean President Andrew Jackson and lost his reelection because of the disagreement. Kids love the area designed for them. The ceremonial drums and clothing are explained well with a good variety of native dress and customs. The bigger kids seem to love the weapons of spears and arrows. Clubs and axes also are present but remain behind the presentation glass. Visitors and homeschool groups from all over the country have come to enjoy seeing the Trail of Tears Interpretive Center!
Outside of the Trail of Tears Interpretive Center
Just down the road, or a long walk from the center, is a bridge where you can see the pilings of the original bridge where the Bell and Benge routes had crossed in 1838. Several visitors with Native American genetics will spend a while around the bridge connecting with their ancestral past. In front of the interpretive center is a tunnel around a picnic area. This tunnel along a creek is excellent for a walk as it features Native American arts and has a dog park alongside the creek path. There are certain times during the year that the center has an event where they walk to the bridge as their own march along the Trail of Tears. See their website in the buttons below!
Pleasant Run Park
Feed, water, and exercise the white wolf in you and your dog at Pleasant Run Park, where they have a trail and obstacle course for your dog to fetch and jump on the field. The picnic area is lovely and very close to the restaurants nearby on Pulaski's square!
Trail of Tears Interpretive Center dog park trail.
Trail of Tears Interpretive Center dog park water.
The Vicky Garland Memorial Pow Wow and Motorcycle Ride
One of the ladies who wanted an educational center was Vicky Garland. She was passionate about the Native Americans having a place to tell their story. Her native name was "Spits Fire," and she was known to live up to this name when talking to politicians. The Interpretive Center collaborates with the Native History Association, which puts the Pow Wow and motorcycle rides together. Below are a few photos from these events.
More Native American History
Going next door to Lawrenceburg, you can see a section of the original Trail of Tears road certified by the Federal Park Service as the actual Trail of Tears pathway. It is still wild, so it would look very similar to the way the Native Americans would have passed by in 1838. See the David Crockett State Park with its activities in the link below!
Cultural History
We have a page devoted to the cultural history of this area. There are many places that are nationally known where people can learn how other people live.
Be sure to look through other points of interest in the area; these places can really add to your Amish Adventure so you can make the most of your vacation!
Outdoor Activities
We have more outdoor sports than we do inside sports. Let's divide team sports up with parallel sports. A parallel sport is played the same, no matter how many players there are. So if you like golf, tennis, motorcycle, ATV, or bicycle sports, then we have the place you will love! We have ball and disc golf courses and plenty of places to ride your ATV on wooded trails and jumping hills! We also have archery and gun ranges where you can take your best shot and be on target!
Our outdoor activities webpage is where you can find all our listings of outdoor activities in Lawrence County! This directory explains our top places for outdoor recreation! The button below takes you to the outdoor page, so click the button and get started planning your trip itinerary with these outdoor activities in mind!
Area Woods and Watersports
We have many excellent rivers and lakes in Lawrence County. Visitors come from all over to participate in our great tubing and kayak adventures. There are three great places for fun on the water. Each place we feature opens around May and closes Labor Day weekend. The water temperatures are a bit cold before May and after August. Crockett Shoals Tubing Company is our pick for kids 10 and under, as the water is very shallow, and the tubes have a bottom, so you can't slide out into the water. If a child does fall out of the tube, it is only a foot deep in most places, so all they have to do is stand up. Upa Creek Kayak Rentals have tubes, canoes, and kayaks and offer different drop-off locations according to how long you want to float. Upa Creek is beside a great restaurant called the Taco Shack if you want to eat after a long float. Double G Canoe and Kayak Rental is for the person who wants an excellent long float with incredible scenery. They can even facilitate wheelchairs and other needs for those with disabilities. At Double G, they can offer the longest float and the most unique way of putting the kayak in the water!
All these places and more featured on our webpage are devoted to woods and watersports. Please see our detailed guide for more information on which places best fit your needs for a day in the woods or out on the water!
Indoor Activities
Indoor activities are essential for inclement weather and nightlife recreation! We have bowling, pool, and axe throwing. Yes! Axe throwing at Axe Kicking in Loretto is a top-rated destination for those wanting to throw axes and try to get out of an escape house where they lock you up as a group inside a group of rooms where you must use clues to find the key to get out! We also have Crockett Theater, where you can see shows, live concerts, and performances! If movies are your interest, then Crockett Cinemas are here to give you the best viewing experience with all the snacks and foods you would expect from a working movie theater!
Click the button below to see our indoor activities webpage! We have collected all the best indoor places in Lawrence County to help you add these places to your plans or itinerary for your stay! The Amish don't offer any nightlife, so we want options to ensure you can enhance your vacation with a few indoor activities!
Are you looking for Group Travel?
We have a whole page devoted to group travel on charter busses and school field trips that include some of the places on this page. See our page in the button link below!
Amish Itineraries
See the top things to do around Ethridge. Our page will help you find your kind of fun!
Where To Eat
Our restaurant guide shows you the best places to eat around Ethridge. See our page to find your favorite foods!
Places To Stay
Our guide covers the best places to stay around Ethridge. See our page to find your perfect room!
We have a Tennessee Amish Map webpage where we show the state of Tennessee with Amish communities and the hotel areas on one page! There are 4 sections we use to explain each Amish Trail and how they flow into one another. You can add points of interest along the way to complete your perfect itinerary! Click the button below and make plans to go on an Amish Adventure this year!
Area Events
We have a page devoted to the areas best events where you can combine interesting events to include into your vacation itinerary! See our page in the button link below!
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We (The Amish of Ethridge) do not guarantee the accuracy of the links it shares as the URL may be changed without warning from the original location. We also do not represent any business listed above or the Amish Community we share. Anyone who consumes our content and acts on what they perceive is doing so of their own volition. We built our website and trails to show our visitors possibilities to include in their itinerary to experience on their vacation.
