In 1838, thousands of Cherokee Indians passed this place as they were forced westward onto reservation land in Oklahoma along the Trail of Tears. About 4,000 Cherokees died along the route. The Cherokee were forced into eastern Oklahoma after a small group of their tribe signed the Treaty of New Echota with the U.S. government, turning over Cherokee lands in the east in exchange for land in Oklahoma. Most Cherokees protested the treaty. U.S. soldiers under the command of General Winfield Scott rounded up the Cherokees and forced them westward.