A site where thousands of Native people were forced to leave their homeland as part of the deadly Trail of Tears will finally be returned to the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.
Murphy, North Carolina, is returning to the Cherokee, at no cost, Fort Butler Park and Historic Site . Their ancestors were forcefully removed and relocated in 1838.
The move came after community members realized the space might be best maintained in the joint custody of the town and the Cherokee people, local news organizations reported.
After discussions, the local government felt a full transfer was a better option and the local town unanimously voted to restore ownership to the Cherokee.
Significance. In the 1830s, the U.S. government waged a campaign to forcefully remove Native peoples from the southeastern part of the country and relocate them to Oklahoma. Under the Indian Removal Act, groups including the Cherokees, Chickasaws, Choctaws, Creeks, and Seminoles, were violently rounded up by the U.S. Army and forced on a 2,200 mile journey across difficult terrain and elements. According to National Park Services, over 10,000 Native peoples died during the journey, including nearly a fifth of the Cherokee population.
Fort Butler is historically significant because it was the first military outpost thousands of Cherokee reached before embarking on the Trail of Tears, historians say.
The power structure. The local community’s recognition of land reparations is a stark contrast in a political climate in which President Trump continues to attack historical institutions that work to accurately share painful truths about American history.
While the Trump administration seeks to whitewash historical monuments, the town of Murphy set an example of ensuring Cherokee people have the space and autonomy to reclaim their own land and narratives.
What experts say. “The opportunity to return places like Fort Butler to Cherokee stewardship is an important part of preserving our history and strengthening our sovereignty,” said Principal Chief Michell Hicks of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians in a statement. “It allows us to ensure that this story is told truthfully, that those who suffered here are honored, and that future generations understand both the hardships our people faced and the resilience that continues to define the Cherokee people today.”
Murphy Mayor Tim Rufford in a social media post said, “Fort Butler is tied to a painful chapter in Cherokee history. While the park is located in Murphy, I believe the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians should have the opportunity to care for this site and share its history in their own voice. This is not Murphy stepping away from its history. It is about recognizing that history honestly, showing respect, and placing stewardship of this important place with the people most directly connected to its story.”
The town noted that a legal process is required to transfer ownership. The process should be completed in the next few weeks.
