About the Potawatomi Trail of Death
In 1838, the U.S. government forcibly removed more than 850 Potawatomi people from their ancestral lands in northern Indiana, marching them 660 miles to a reservation in present-day Kansas. This forced march — known as the Potawatomi Trail of Death — claimed more than 40 lives, most of them children, and remains one of the most thoroughly documented forced removals in American history.
What Was the Potawatomi Trail of Death?
The Potawatomi Trail of Death was the forced removal of more than 850 Potawatomi people from their ancestral homelands in northern Indiana in September 1838. Under armed military escort, families were marched approximately 660 miles through Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, and into present-day Kansas — a journey that lasted 61 days under brutal conditions.
The march was plagued by inadequate food, exposure to disease — particularly typhoid fever — and relentless physical hardship. More than 40 Potawatomi people perished along the route, including many children, before the survivors reached the Osage River subagency in present-day Kansas in November 1838. The event takes its name from a journal kept by Father Benjamin Marie Petit, a Catholic priest who accompanied the marchers and documented the suffering he witnessed.
Learn About the AssociationUnderstanding the Trail of Death
Watch the video below to delve deeper into the tragic history, personal accounts, and the enduring legacy of the Potawatomi Trail of Death.
Follow the 1838 Trail Across Four States
The 660-mile route crossed Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, and Kansas — passing through towns, rivers, and landscapes that still exist today. The Potawatomi Trail of Death Association has worked to identify, research, and mark every significant location along the route, from the forced departure at Twin Lakes, Indiana, to the final arrival at the Osage River subagency near present-day Osawatomie, Kansas.
70+ historical markers along the route Use the interactive map to navigate 70+ markers across all four states. Click any location to open a summary of the events that occurred there, with links to deeper historical records.
Explore the Archives & Association Legacy
The Potawatomi Trail of Death Association works closely with local historical organizations like the Fulton County Historical Society to preserve this history. Explore our dedicated resources and read more about the ongoing efforts to keep this history alive.
- Our Resource Library A curated collection of documents, books, and primary source records about the Trail of Death.
- Fulton County Historical Society Explore local archives, museums, and historical preservation efforts tied to the Potawatomi.
- Potawatomi Heritage Encyclopedia: Trail of Death A comprehensive overview of the history and events of the Trail of Death from the Cultural Heritage Center.
- Remembering the Trail of Death Read the Citizen Potawatomi Nation's coverage on the historical impact of the Trail of Death.
- History Through the Eyes of George Godfrey An honoring of CPN member Dr. George Godfrey's foundational work, research, and dedication to the Trail of Death markers.
- On Writing with George Godfrey Discover more about Dr. George Godfrey's process for documenting and sharing Potawatomi history.
- Contact & Volunteer Get in touch, support our work, or become a volunteer along the trail.
