Bus tour to retrace Trail of Tears
GOLCONDA — The Illinois Chapter Trail of Tears Association is offering a guided bus tour of the Trail of Tears across Southern Illinois on March 24.
The bus tour will begin at 8 a.m. at the parking lot of Golden Circle Senior Center in Golconda, proceed west across Southern Illinois and then return to Golconda.
The eight-hour, 60-mile trip will include on-board trip guides, who will provide historical information about the path of the trail through Pope, Johnson and Union counties. Stops will be made at historic locations on the trail. The tour guides will share Trail of Tears stories along the way.
In 1838 and 1839, the U.S. government forced several groups of Native Americans, the largest group being Cherokee, to leave their homelands in the eastern states and travel to Oklahoma Territory to live. Many died while making this trip. This event and the path of their journey became known as the Trail of Tears.
Registration is required, and seating is limited. Box lunches will be provided. Registration is $30 per person. Checks should be made payable to Trail of Tears Illinois Chapter and mailed to Trail of Tears Illinois Chapter, P.O. Box 313, Anna, IL 62906.
For more information, call Sandra Boaz, chapter president, at 618-833-8216 or Joe Crabb, vice president, at 618-949-3355.
