There are many points of interest here for historians of early government, students of genocide or Texans interested in knowing Sam Houston better. Texans will be sure to want to visit this park and get a chance to view Hiwasee Island a short walk up a great hill at the Trail of Tears ( assemblement ) Park in SouthEastern Tennessee. "Samuel Houston, born March 2, 1793 in Virginia and moved to Tennessee with his widowed mother. At age of sixteen Houston ran away from home to live with the Cherokee Indians on Jolly's Island." "Archaeological artifacts dug up from this island dated historic and prehistoric tribal peoples that lived on the island dating back to the late Eoodland Hamilton phase (ca 600-900), early Mississippian Hiwasee (ca A.D. 1300-1500) The Cherokees which were the last tribe on the island left 1818. Their legacy and fate brought this Memorial Park. The island is also called Jolly's Island, name for Chief John Jolly. As a young boy, Sam Houston lived on this island with the Cherokees. Chief Jolly adopted Sam and gave him an Indian name "The Raven". Possibly, this early influence guided his ambitions to settle the State of Texas. Will Rogers was another person of note that descended from the Rogers Family that lived on the island." "This island has been nominated for listing on the National Register of Historic Places. " Let's make it so! read more