Tuscombia, Alabama
After visiting “Ivy Green” in Tuscombia, Dan and I drove the short distance to Spring Park.
Here we relaxed and ate our lunch and played some Scrabble at a picnic bench. After we were refreshed, we took a walk through this beautiful park.
The park has many amenities, including walking trails, a natural spring and a man-made waterfall. While walking, we came upon a beautiful, bronze sculpture called, “Sacred Tears.”
According to the plaque near the sculpture,
by Branko Medenica
September 19, 2003
Tuscombia …played an integral part in the “Trail of Tears” with the Tennessee River route and the overland routes. …
Creek Indians began to pass through Tuscombia on their way west as early as 1827. Generally, the Indians were treated well in Tuscombia. … A Creek chief, Chilly McIntosh described their stay here as: “The citizens of Tuscombia have treated us like brothers, and our helpless women were furnished by the good women of the town with clothing… As long as our nation remains upon this earth, we will recollect Tuscombia.” November 30, 1827
Plaque at Spring Park
Tuscombia, Alabama
A second plaque contains text from the artist’s dedication speech.
… The work is 8 feet tall, made of cast bronze, and weighs about one ton. It depicts an Indian woman holding her baby in one arm, while the other hand is resting on the cross of a loved one who has just died while marching along the Trail of Tears…. The baby she is holding represents hope for new life, the future, and the renewal of the spirit. Also, wrapped around her shoulders is a blanket given to her by the good people of Tuscombia. So, in this monument I have tried to combine death, sorrow, struggle, perseverance, and hope for the future. …
Plaque at Spring Park
Tuscombia, Alabama
I also found it interesting that at the bottom of the plaque with the dedication speech, it said
This plaque was funded by the motorcyclists who participate in the “Trail of Tears Commemorative Motorcycle Ride” and the Alabama-Tennessee Trail of Tears Corridor Association.
Plaque at Spring Park
Tuscombia, Alabama
I was touched and surprised by the statue. We have seen Trail of Tears commemorative sites when we visited Trail of Tears Missouri State park, the Greenville Recreation Area, and now here at Spring Park in Tuscombia, Alabama.
It is one thing to stand at a spot and read the number of miles the Indians traveled on the Trail of Tears. It is another to travel from state to state, covering hundreds of miles, and to continually see markers identifying a location as being on the Trail of Tears.
Dan and I often enjoy local parks on our travels, but this park had an added bonus. Here, we learned how the people of Tuscombia responded to a horrific event by doing what they could to help the Indians. I am glad to have seen the Sacred Tears sculpture and to have learned this piece of Tuscombia’s history. It gives me hope, and more than that, it is a lesson we can take from history and put into practice in today’s world.
Chambers on the Road 
Beautiful photos and interesting write-up about the park and the bronze statue. Motorcyclists often get a bad rap because of the notorious gangs, but there are many groups that do a lot of good. Every year here, they do a toy run before Christmas to collect toys for needy kids. It sounds like this park is one I’d enjoy. Every time I see the words “walking paths”, my heart beats a little faster.
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Thank you, Terry. Not too long ago, I saw the motorcyclist escorts for Lance Corporal Jared Schmitz, one of the thirteen American military who was killed by a suicide bomber in the Kabul Airport. We stood on an airport overpass, and the double lines of the motorcycle riders went on and on and on. I’ve seen other motorcycle escorts as well. Like any group of people, there is good and bad. This park had a long walking path; we only walked part of it. There were lots of people out and enjoying the park the day we were there. I hope you have a great day!
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Thank you for this excellent and illuminating post.
Joanna
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You are very welcome, and I appreciate your kind comment. Enjoy your day!
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That was a moving piece, Betty. I’m sure it will stay with me all day.
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Thank you, Cathy. I appreciate your comment, and I hope you have a good day!
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Beautifully written, Betty. The park sounds like the perfect spot for a picnic or a long walk.
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Thank you. The artist gets the credit here for creating such a memorable piece. The park was quite large and very nice. Enjoy your day!
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That is a pretty waterfall. I like the commemorative statue, too; very moving.
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Thank you, Linda. The statue was right near the waterfall. I hope you have a great day!
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How wonderful to read of the kind and generous people and their support. Too often, we hear of the atrocities committed against indigenous people. This story warms my heart.
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It certainly was uplifting to read how the people of Tuscombia helped the Indians. Sometimes we have to remind ourselves that there are a lot of good people in the world. At least I do. Hope you have a good day!
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👍💗
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Thank you for a very informative post. It was great to read that despite the horror of what was done to the Native American Indians, one town stood tall and offered help and hope. As for motorcyclists, I rode for years before we went RV’ing. Yes, there are the bad, but many, many more who are good. I consider myself one of the good and enjoyed my time on the road and the many rides we did to raise funds for various charitable causes. Have a great day.
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There are good people; sometimes we just have to look a little harder to see them. I know there are many good people who ride motorcycles. Like I mentioned in another comment, when I saw the hundreds of motorcyclists escorting the fallen solder from our area, it was very, very touching. Back when I was working, the community college had the traveling 911 exhibit. That was also escorted by motorcyclists. I appreciate good works – by anyone! Enjoy your day, too!
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That seems like a very nice park, and nice to know how the local people helped the Indians instead of other possible responses that I am sure they received on other parts of their horrific journey. The statue is beautiful and so meaningful.
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Thank you, Meg. There is much to the park that I didn’t write about. A restaurant, a train for kids to ride on, playgrounds, lots more. But what stuck with me was that “Sacred Tears” sculpture and the meaning behind it. I was glad to know someone helped the Indians, too. Hope you have a great day!
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Such a beautiful park. I’m glad the Native Americans found some kindness there during such an otherwise horrible time.
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Me, too! The park was very enjoyable. Thanks for your comment, and have a good day!
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Ignorance, racism and greed caused many stains on our country’s history. The want of Indian land moved the natives from their homes which lead to further expansion. It did not end with The Trail of Tears. It is, however, how our country grew.
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It seems to me that could have been a better way. How – I don’t know. Like people, countries aren’t perfect; although, some are far worse than others.
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