Old Federal Road 023-7
This highway is part of the Old Federal Road, an early thoroughfare that linked Georgia and west Tennessee across the Indian Country. It began on the southeast boundary of the Cherokees, in the direction of Athens, Georgia and led toward Nashville via Rossville. Another branch ran from Ramhurst, Georgia toward Knoxville. Formal permission to open this road was granted by the Cherokees in the 1805 Treaty of Tellico. Prior to its use by the Whites, the route was an Indian trading path to Augusta. This thoroughfare became the earliest vehicular way of northwest Georgia, the first postal route of this section, and an important emigrant trace to the West.

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Stand Watie: Degataga Oo-Watee OK8
STAND WATIE
DEGATAGA OO-WATEE

Stand Watie was only American Indian to attain rank of Brigadier General during Civil War and was last Confederate General to surrender. Born in Georgia December 12, 1806. He spoke only Cherokee language until he was 12 years of age.

When Federal Government began urging Cherokees to move from Georgia, Tennessee, and North Carolina to a home west of the Mississippi, Stand Watie was one of those who believed it best for Cherokees to make such move. As signer of the treaty of New Echota in 1836, which provided for removal of Cherokees to the west. Stand Watie cained family of those opposed to such treaty provision.

After removal to the west, Watie married Sarah C. Bell to whom three sons, and two daughters were born.

At outbreak of Civil War, Stand Watie espoused the Southern cause and soon received commission as Colonel in Confederate Army. Among battles in which he participated were Wilson's Creek, Bird Creek, Pea Ridge, Haney Springs, and Cabin Creek. He attained the rank of Brigadier General on May 10, 1964.

Was joint commander with General R.M. Gano at Battle of Cabin Creek fought September 18, 1864. In this battle Confederates routed Federals and captured about 300 wagons loaded with supplies. Thus for a time, enabling the destitute Indian Confederates to continue in the war.

General Stand Watie surrendered his command at Doaksville, near Fort Towson on June 23, 1865.

He died on September 9, 1871. A man of courage, leadership, and spirit.

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Capitol for a Day 1F25
On Sept. 21, 1807, the State Legislature met on this site, and immediately resolved to "adjourn forthwith from Kingston," to meet in Knoxville on the 23rd. This brief meeting was in technical fulfillment of terms in a treaty with the Cherokees by which the Indians relinquished the site of Southwest Point, ostensibly for locating the capitol at Kingston.

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Double Springs 1A97
The large spring to the northwest was a landmark to early settlers. In his campaign against the Cherokees, Col. William Christian established his first camp here on October 1-4, 1776. The Double Springs Church, to the South, was founded in 1786by Jonathan Mulkey and pastored for 40 years by Jesse Riggs. Nearby lived John Jones, one of the commissioners of the Watauga Association.

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Bean Station 1B59
One of Tennessee's earliest settlements. This valley was a warpath for the Cherokees, was followed by Daniel Boone to Cumberland Gap, and was traveled by Davy Crockett. To the right of Highway 11W stood Bean Fort, built by William Bean, one of the first permanent white settlers in Tennessee. In front of the fort was Bean Station Tavern, largest tavern between Washington, D.C., and New Orleans. It lodged Presidents Polk, Johnson, and Jackson. During the Civil War, battles were fought around this site.

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Watauga Fort 1A8
1/4 mile southwest and 1/2 mile northeast of the mouth of Gap Creek, stood Watauga Fort. Here, July 21, 1776, the settlers under Captain James Robertson repulsed the Cherokees under Old Abraham of Chilowee, and Lt. John Sevier rescued "Bonny Kate" Sherrill.

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Island Road TN12
Oldest Wagon Road in Tennessee
America's First Road to the Southwest

This military road from Chilhowee, Virginia, to Kingsport, Tennessee, was completed September 1761 by Major Andrew Lewis under the command of Col. Adam Stephen. Upon reaching the Long Island of the Holston, the militia erected Fort Robinson to treaty for peace with the Cherokees.

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Trail of Tears

In 1830, the US Supreme Court decided in favor of protecting the Cherokees land rights. However, one powerful person, along with his successor, was responsible for the forced removal of Indians west of the Missisippi.

Do you know who was responsible for the 'Trail of Tears'?

Contributed by Jim Kuntz

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Trail of Tears - White River Trace MO185
White River Trace portion of the
TRAIL OF TEARS

The forced migration of the Cherokee Indians in 1837-1838 was a tragic episode in American history. As early as 1802, Thomas Jefferson proposed relocating southern tribes to land west of the Mississippi River, but it was not until the Indian Removal of 1830 that the plan became reality. The Cherokee Indians, who had established a newspaper, become prosperous merchants and farmers, and drafted their own constitution and laws, refused to sign a treaty agreeing to leave their native lands in northern Georgia. They won a decision from the Supreme Court that U.S. Government must provide protection for them and their property, but President Andrew Jackson refused to enforce the Courts ruling. During 1837 and 1838, soldiers forcibly moved the Cherokees...by land and water. Conditions on the 800 mile march were poor. G.S. Townsend, attending physician to a group of migrating Cherokee in 1837, wrote that "Nov. 25th, found the increasing number of cases (of fever) rendered in absolutely necessary....to discontinue in order that I might have some cl....to support with the formidable and overwhelming disease that seem...treat the party with destruction." It is estimated that 4,000 Cherokee perished on the march.

[This marker is severely damaged, several bullet holes, which allowed weather under the plastic and damaged the written material.]

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Hawkins Line GA155
This line, sometimes called "The Four Mile Purchase Line," was the boundary between Georgia and the Cherokee Nation from 1804 to 1818. It was established when Georgia bought a four mile strip from the Indians so as to take in Wofford's Settlement on Nancytown Creek. James Blair was agent for the government, James Vann and Katahahee for the Cherokees. It formed the boundary between Jackson Co., and the Cherokees; later Franklin Co., and the Cherokees, and is now the line between Habersham and Banks Counties.

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