Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park invites the public to participate in a 1.3 mile, 90-minute hiking tour exploring the devastating effects of Spanish contact on the Mississippian Indians and their ancestors in the Southeast on Saturday, April 8, at 2 pm, at Moccasin Bend National Archeological District. Parking for the program will be at the South Parking Area off Moccasin Bend Road. “Special Event" signs will be posted along Manufacturers, Hamm, and Moccasin Bend Roads to help guide visitors to event parking.
At one time, American Indian towns and villages dotting the landscape around present-day Chattanooga bustled with people and trade. However, that all changed once Spaniards moved through the area in 1540 and 1560. These Spanish expeditions, and other Europeans that followed, typically kept meticulous notes of their activities. However, between 1568 and 1700 the historical record “went dark" and there was no mention of the once thriving “nation" and people who once occupied this land. What happened to them? Were there any survivors? If so, where did they move? These questions and others will be discussed as we tackle a cultural clash in the Southeast.
Comfortable, supportive footwear, appropriate clothing for the weather, and water are recommended for this program.
For more information about programs at Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park, contact the Chickamauga Battlefield Visitor Center at 706-866-9241 or the Lookout Mountain Battlefield Visitor Center at 423-821-7786.
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service
