Rossville in Walker County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)

Old Federal Road

Photographed by R. E. Smith, December 22, 2007

1. Old Federal Road Marker

Inscription. The first vehicular and postal route of Georgia to Rossville was the Federal Road across the Cherokee Nation. Beginning on the southeast Indian boundary in the direction of Athens, Georgia, the thoroughfare led this way toward Nashville via Tate, Jasper, Talking Rock and Spring Place.

Formal permission by the Cherokees to open the road was granted in the 1805 Treaty of Tellico, Tennessee. Prior to that time the trace served as an Indian trading path to Augusta.

The earliest post office in northwest Georgia was established on this route at Rossville, on April 5, 1817 with John Ross as postmaster.

Erected 1992. (Marker Number 146-14.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Communications • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Roads & Vehicles • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Georgia Historical Society series list. A significant historical month for this entry is April 1812.

Location. 34° 59.036′ N, 85° 17.182′ W. Marker is in Rossville, Georgia, in Walker County. It is on Chickamauga Ave (U.S. 27), on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Rossville GA 30741, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Georgia’s Mountains. It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the original Cherokee Nation,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance

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of this marker: Rossville High Alumni Veteran's Memorial (a few steps from this marker); Hooker's Column (a few steps from this marker); Rossville Memorial Fountain (within shouting distance of this marker); Geary's Division (within shouting distance of this marker); Ireland's Brigade (within shouting distance of this marker); John Ross Home (approx. 0.2 miles away); Rossville, McFarland House & Spring (approx. 0.2 miles away); Home of John Ross (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Rossville.

Photographed by R. E. Smith, December 22, 2007

2. Old Federal Road Marker

Photographed by Lee Hattabaugh, September 10, 2011

3. Old Federal Road Marker

Looking north on Rossville Blvd/US-27. Tennessee state line sign can be seen in the background.

Photographed by Lee Hattabaugh, September 10, 2011

4. Old Federal Road Marker

Looking south toward the intersection with McFarland Gap Road/Avenue and the US Post Office.

Photographed by Robbie Beam

5. Old Federal Road Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on June 27, 2021. It was originally submitted on October 19, 2008, by R. E. Smith of Nashville, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 1,722 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 19, 2008, by R. E. Smith of Nashville, Tennessee. 3, 4. submitted on September 12, 2011, by Lee Hattabaugh of Capshaw, Alabama. 5. submitted on June 27, 2021, by Robbie Beam of Knoxville, Tennessee. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.