The marker documents the imprisonment of Chiricahua Apaches, including the noted warrior Geronimo, from April of 1887 until May of 1894, at the Mt. Vernon Barracks. Mt. Vernon Hospital, later Searcy Hospital, was established ar the site in 1902. It is closed to the public.
MOWA Choctaw Cultural Center
Street address:
1080 W. Red Fox Rd.
Mt. Vernon, AL 36103
Phone:
(251) 829-5898
Mailing:
PO Box 4
Montgomery, AL 36101-0004
Admission:
Free
The first treaty made under the provisions of the 1830 Indian Removal Act was the Treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek with the Choctaw that same year. Mass confusion reigned among the Choctaw of southwestern Alabama and Mississippi as they were forced to leave their homes and lands. Cold, cholera, hunger and despair were their constant companions on the trail to Oklahoma. Some Choctaw were able to escape of avoid removal and they formed the nucleus of the tribe today. They adopted the name \MOWA Choctaw Indians\" to identify the Indians in Mobile and Washington Counties who are descended from several Indian tribes including Choctaw