Port Royal State Park facts for kids

Port Royal State Historic Park is a special place in Tennessee. It covers 26 acres (about 105,000 square meters). This park is located where Montgomery and Robertson counties meet. It's named after the old town of Port Royal.

The Red River flows right through the middle of the park. A covered bridge used to cross this river here. The park helps us remember important parts of early Tennessee history. This includes how people settled here and how they traveled long ago. It also honors the sad history of the Trail of Tears.

This park is for day visits only. You can enjoy many activities here. These include hiking on trails and having a picnic. You can also go canoeing on the river or try fishing. It's a great spot for photography. Sometimes, park rangers give special talks about the park's history.

Discovering Port Royal's Past

Port Royal was one of the very first communities in middle Tennessee. It was also an important trading post. People first settled here in the early 1780s. Even before that, in 1771, it was a camp for Longhunters. These were explorers who hunted for long periods.

Port Royal and the Trail of Tears

In 1838 and 1839, Port Royal played a role in the Trail of Tears. This was a very sad time in history. The Chickamauga Cherokee people were forced to leave their homes. They marched a long way to Oklahoma. Port Royal was a stopover for them. It was a place where they could rest and get supplies. It was the last stop in Tennessee on their northern route.

Today, Port Royal State Park protects parts of the original road. The Chickamauga people used this road during their march. One section of the road is officially recognized by the National Park Service.

A Hub for Travel and Trade

Because of its location, Port Royal was a very important place for travel. It was where major roads and rivers met. It became the only stop on the "Great Western Road" stagecoach line. This line connected Nashville, Tennessee, and Hopkinsville, Kentucky. Port Royal served as a stagecoach stop for many years.

In 1977, the State of Tennessee received 26 acres of land at Port Royal. The next year, in 1978, it became a State Historic Park. This helped protect its important history.

Exploring Park Features

Port Royal was a key place for transportation. So, the park highlights themes of travel and movement. You can still see parts of old roadbeds here. One road dates back to prehistoric times. Another is a certified Trail of Tears site.

Historic Bridges of Port Royal

A Pratt truss bridge built in 1887 spans the Sulphur Fork Creek.

The park has a great example of an old steel bridge. It's a Pratt truss design, built in 1887. This bridge crosses the Sulphur Fork Creek. It is very well preserved. You can walk across this bridge, but cars are not allowed.

There are also remains of a covered bridge. This bridge was damaged by a flood in the early 2000s. It was never repaired due to a lack of money. This covered bridge was built in 1978. It was a smaller copy (75% scale) of a bridge from 1904. You can't go on this bridge. But you can see the stone piers that supported it. These stone piers are original from the 1904 bridge. The stones came from the old Port Royal Mills and dam. Those date back to around 1800.

Old Foundations and Buildings

As you walk through the park, you will see other historical remains. You can find the foundations of old stores, homes, and warehouses. Some of these foundations are from the 18th century. They show where buildings once stood.

Park Events and Activities

Covered bridge before its destruction.

Every October, Port Royal State Park hosts a special event. It's a Trail of Tears Commemorative event. During this event, people re-enact the march on the old roadbed. There are also demonstrations of what life was like in the 1830s. You can see exhibits about the Trail of Tears. These exhibits explain Port Royal's role in this sad time. Contact the park to find out specific dates and times for these events.