The Cherokee Rose and “The Trail of Tears”

One of the saddest stories of the European settlement of America is the removal of the native Americans, the Lower Creek, the Upper Creek, the Seminole, and finally, with the discovery of gold in North Georgia at Dahlonega, the Cherokee, were forced from their native lands, and removed to Oklahoma on the “Trail of Tears”.  The Cherokee had adapted to the newcomers, and many had adopted European dress, they had their own alphabet, and were farmers and ranchers by this time. They were also fond of a flower, now known as the Cherokee Rose. It was proclaimed the Georgia State flower in 1916, and named the Cherokee Rose because it had been widely distributed over the state by the Cherokee.