The Trail of Tears is unique among planned and existing trails in the region for its historical and cultural significance at both the local and national scale. As a segment of the cross-country Trail of Tears Historical Trail, the corridor documents the forced migration of thousands of Cherokee people from their homelands in Georgia, Alabama, and Tennessee to Indian Territory in present day Oklahoma. Existing segments of the trail in the region elaborate on this history through interpretive signage and, where possible, use a natural surface to preserve the character the Cherokee likely encountered nearly 180 years ago.