10/12/2026
Looking across the Hiwassee River on the Murphy River Walk, you see location of a painful part of our history. This place is Sacred. This is a place of ending and a place of beginning. Thousands of years of Cherokee culture is forever changed at this spot. Pause and shed a tear for what was lost. Shed a tear for what ended and began here.
Across this river and just beyond your view is the site of Fort Butler. Here the Cherokee People were gathered in advance of the deportation of the Nation to Oklahoma via what would be known as The Trail of Tears. Full audio here: https://audioboom.com/posts/8365044-cherokee-encampment
Earlier this summer, Town of Murphy transfer the site of Fort Butler to the Eastern Band of Cherokee.
“This is an important step for our community,” Mayor Tim Radford 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.”
https://www.townofmurphync.com/mayor-town-council/page/murphy-town-council-approves-resolution-convey-fort-butler-park-eastern
