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From a historical perspective, a quick glance at the map of
Bradley
County shows why this area was a geographic center for Native American culture in
Southeast Tennessee. Even before the Cherokees, Indian communities thrived at the base of the
Tennessee River
Valley in villages located along the
Tennessee,
Hiwassee, and Ocoee rivers.
During the initial expansion of white settlements, colonial Americans found the Cherokee Nation dominating the region of southeastern
Tennessee. 'The Civilized Tribe' succumbed to the swift encroachment of western civilization. By 1838, the United States Government forced the removal of the Cherokees to the
Oklahoma
Territory via the infamous Trail of Tears.
Bradley County is the site of the last council grounds of the Cherokee Nation in the eastern
United States. At Red Clay Historical Area, visitors can see a Cherokee farm and council house that have been reconstructed to offer visitors a glimpse of how the area might have looked 150 years ago. An interpretive center houses a theater, exhibits and artifacts, while recreational facilities include a 500-seat amphitheater, picnic pavilion and areas, and a two-mile loop trail with a beautiful limestone overlook tower. In addition, you will want to see the sacred council spring, which produces more than 400,000 gallons of sapphire-blue water each day.
Cleveland, the county seat, is a city worth exploring. The downtown area contains a number of historic buildings and churches that have been restored. The Cleveland Downtown Historic Greenway begins at
Johnston
Park in the heart of downtown and includes 20 historic sites.
Johnston
Park also contains the Cherokee Chieftain, a sculpture carved by internationally known artist Peter Toth.
 TRAVEL TIPS: The best way to see Bradley County is to take the Cleveland by-pass from I-75 between Knoxville and Chattanooga. The by-pass connects you to Highway 60, which takes you to Red Clay State Historical Area, to downtown Cleveland, and to Highway 64 towards Polk County and the Ocoee River Gorge. If you are traveling from Gatlinburg, Tennessee, you can use Highway 411, which runs near the Bradley/Polk County line and extends into Georgia.
Headed To North Carolina There's a great scenic alternative to using I-75 through Knoxville and it only takes about 20 minutes longer. From I-75, take the Cleveland by-pass to Highway 64, which will take you through Polk County towards North Carolina. In Murphy, take Highway 19 all the way to Highway 40 just west of Asheville. This route takes you through the Ocoee River Gorge, the Copper Basin, the Nantahala River Gorge and the Great Smoky Mountains. Highway 411 also provides a scenic route between Atlanta and the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. Spectacular!
Bradley County Chamber of Commerce
http://www.clevelandchamber.com/
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