Here are historic sites and interpretive facilities on the Trail of Tears National Historic Trail in Missouri for you to visit:

Maramec Spring Park-Massey Iron Works, near St. James

Location:  Maramec Spring Park, which includes Massey Iron Works within its boundaries, is located at 21880 Maramec Spring Dr., just north of State Highway 8. The park is in eastern Phelps County, 8 miles southeast of St. James.

Telephone:(573) 265-7387‎

Hours: Sunrise to sunset (hours approximate).  The Maramec Museum (see below) has more limited hours.

Historical Significance: Massey (or Maramec) Iron Works, which was the first successful ironworks west of the Mississippi River, operated here from 1826 to 1876. During this period, in 1838-39, Cherokees along the Northern Route passed through the park and camped at Maramec Spring on their way from Fort Cass, Tennessee to Indian Territory.

Available Facilities: The park has two museums. One of these, Maramec Museum, houses natural and cultural history exhibits. The history of the Iron Works is explained using working models and displays.

Exhibits: The Northern Route trail segments in the park are signed.

To learn more: www.maramecspringpark.com/maramec/history/index.html

Snelson-Brinker Cabin, near Steelville

Location: on the north side of State Highway 8 in western Crawford County, 8 miles west of Steelville and 10 miles from Exit 195 of Interstate 44.

Telephone: none

Hours: not restricted

Historical Significance:  The Snelson-Brinker Cabin was built in 1834, and during 1835-36 it served as Crawford County’s first courthouse. Various Cherokee detachments along the Trail of Tears’ Northern Route, in 1838 and 1839, camped near here and passed by the property.

Available Facilities: this property features not only the two-room Snelson-Brinker Cabin but also an early-day smokehouse/cellar.

Website: none.

Star City Ranch Trail Segment, Cassville

Location: near County Road U, eight miles north-northeast of Cassville.

Telephone: (417) 847-3000

Hours: private property, access restricted

Historical Significance: Star City Ranch is a working, 1,247-acre cattle ranch. More than two miles of the Trail of Tears’ Northern Route runs through the property along Flat Creek. This right-of-way was later the route for the Wire Road, for Civil War troop movements and for the Butterfield Stagecoach.

Exhibits:  Signs mark the Trail of Tears route.

To learn more: www.starcityranch.com

Trail of Tears State Park, near Jackson

Location:  Trail of Tears State Park’s address is 429 Moccasin Springs Road, Jackson.  The park is located on Missouri Route 177 about 8 miles north of Cape Girardeau, and 8 miles east of Jackson. The Mississippi River is the park's east boundary.

Phone: (573) 290-5268.

Hours: no restrictions.

Historical Significance: The park is located on the site where nine of thirteen groups of Cherokee Indians crossed the Mississippi River in harsh winter conditions in 1838-39. Thousands lost their lives on the trail, including dozens on or near the park’s grounds. Legend says that Nancy Bushyhead Hildebrand died and was buried within the park’s boundaries. The Bushyhead Memorial is a tribute to all the Cherokee who died on the trail.

Available Facilities: The park contains two trail-related resources: the site of Green's Ferry (Willard's Landing); and the commemorative site believed to be the grave of Nancy Bushyhead, a Cherokee who died on the Trail of Tears. About 2 miles of park road follow the historic Green's Ferry (Moccasin Spring) Road, the actual route of the Trail of Tears. The 3,416-acre state park also contains a wide range of facilities, including boat ramps, campgrounds, picnic areas, hiking trails, visitor center, laundry, and hot showers. Most of the park facilities are wheelchair accessible, including parking, restrooms, visitor center, and campgrounds. The State of Missouri Department of Natural Resources manages the park.

Exhibits: Visitor center exhibits interpret the Trail of Tears and the area's natural history.

To learn more: www.mostateparks.com/trailoftears.htm.

Waynesville Cherokee Encampment, Waynesville

Location: Roubidoux Spring is located adjacent to Superior Road and is just south of State Highway 17 (Historic U.S. Highway 66) on the eastern edge of Waynesville.  The spring is located in Roy Laughlin Park, a Waynesville city park.

Telephone: none

Hours: not restricted

Historical Significance:  During the 1838-39 Trail of Tears, thousands of Cherokees along the Northern Route camped in the large field located south of Roubidoux Spring.

Website: none.