Gate City in Scott County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Donelson's Indian Line

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 13, 2019

1. Donelson's Indian Line Marker

Inscription. Cherokee Indians lived in this area before European settlement. In the Treaty of Lochaber (1770), the Cherokee agreed to shift westward the boundary between their land and territory open to settlers. This new line was to run from the vicinity of present-day Kingsport, Tennessee, to the confluence of the Kanawha and Ohio Rivers, now in West Virginia. John Donelson represented Virginia in the party that surveyed the line in 1771. With the consent of Cherokee representative Attakullakulla, Donelson blazed a line that extended to the mouth of the Kentucky River, well to the west of the boundary delineated in the treaty. Donelson's line crossed the road near here.

Erected 2017 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number K-16.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1771.

Location. 36° 38.272′ N, 82° 33.725′ W. Marker is in Gate City, Virginia, in Scott County. It is on U.S.

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23/58 0.3 miles east of Kane Street, on the right when traveling west. Marker is located in a small wayside park on the north side of the highway as you approach Gate City. This is fifth-from-the-west of five markers at this location. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3808 US-23, Gate City VA 24251, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Tri-Cities Area

and in Southwest Virginia.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in 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 of this marker: First Court of Scott County (here, next to this marker); Prospect Public School (here, next to this marker); Moccasin Gap (a few steps from this

Donelsons Indian Line Marker<br>(<i>US Hwy 23 left; 5th from west of 5 markers at this location</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 13, 2019

2. Donelsons Indian Line Marker
(US Hwy 23 left; 5th from west of 5 markers at this location)

marker); John P. McConnell (a few steps from this marker); Carter Musical Family (within shouting distance of this marker); Blackmore’s Fort (approx. 0.4 miles away); Gate City (approx. 0.4 miles away); Faris (Ferris) Station (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Gate City.

Other markers no longer nearby. Donelson's Indian Line (was approx. 0.4 miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Big Moccasin Gap (was approx. 0.4 miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); a different marker also named First Court of Scott County (was approx. 0.4 miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); McConnell's Birthplace (was approx. 0.4 miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. Old Marker Located Nearby also titled "Donelson's Indian Line".

Credits. This page was last revised on February 12, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 22, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 1,482 times since then and 127 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 22, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.