Rattlesnake Springs, Historic site in Bradley County, Tennessee
Rattlesnake Springs is a historic site located on rural farmland about five miles northeast of Cleveland, Tennessee, with natural water sources and markers from Native American times. The privately owned property is marked by interpretive signs at viewing areas for visitors to learn about its significance.
In 1838, the springs served as a detention point where approximately 13,000 Cherokee people were held under federal military supervision before their forced removal westward. Two military camps were established there to oversee the confinement of thousands of indigenous people.
The springs served as the gathering place where Cherokee leaders made decisions about their people's future and cultural preservation. Visitors walking through the site can sense its importance as a space where indigenous governance took place.
The site is privately owned, but access to certain areas is available through designated viewing points where interpretive signs are placed. Visitors should note that entry may be restricted to specific areas, so checking access conditions beforehand is helpful.
Two military camps, Camp Foster and Camp Worth, operated near the springs specifically to oversee the confinement, and over 200 people died there from disease and poor conditions before the westward journey began. These deaths remain a stark reminder of the hardship endured during this forced displacement.
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