Near Sautee Nacoochee in White County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)

African American Heritage Site

Photographed by Tom Bosse

1. African American Heritage Site Marker

Inscription. The African American Heritage Site preserves one of North Georgia’s few surviving slave dwellings and interprets the lives of black people in bondage in Appalachia before the Civil War. Framed by 19th century landscaping and displaying antebellum artifacts, the Nacoochee slave cabin provides a focal point for the story of a people whose lives and labor were exploited by power and privilege during a dark period in this nation’s history.

In 1860, nearly 4 million African American’s were enslaved in the United States. In Georgia alone, over 460,000 blacks and mulattoes were held in bondage. On the eve of the American Civil War, the population of White County was 3,315; of those, 11 were free black residents and 263 were slaves claimed as property by 47 prominent white citizens. In Nacoochee Valley, there were 124 slaves, half of them owned by E.P. Williams and his brother Charles.

Nacoochee Valley was not part of the South’s “Cotton Kingdom”, characterized by vast plantations worked by thousands of slaves. In 1822, they came with early white settlers arriving from the Carolinas. Slaves in northeast Georgia cleared and cultivated the land, labored in mines and mills, served as domestics and skilled craftsmen, and toiled in foundries and fields.

The unique heritage of this rural region includes the African American

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experience and must acknowledge the lingering legacy of slavery.

According to one descendant of local slaves, “If the history of slavery, Jim Crow, and Civil rights is not preserved and woven into the narrative of northeast Georgia, future generations may not appreciate our achievements, against all odds, and in spite of hardships endured by our ancestors.”

Erected by Sautee Nacoochee Center.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights • Settlements & Settlers • War, US Civil. A significant historical year for this entry is 1860.

Location. 34° 41.185′ N, 83° 40.561′ W. Marker is near Sautee Nacoochee, Georgia, in White County. It is on Georgia Route 255, on the left when traveling north. Located near the Sautee Nacoochee Cultural Center. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Sautee Nacoochee GA 30571, 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 of this marker: Slave Garden (a few steps from this marker); Emancipation Wall (a few steps from this marker); Slave Dwelling (a few steps from this marker); Millstones (a few steps from this marker); Cooling Vat (a few steps from this marker); Blacksmith Shop (within shouting

Photographed by Tom Bosse, April 5, 2018

2. African American Heritage Site Marker

distance of this marker); Joe Brown Pikes (approx. 0.7 miles away); Bishop Marvin A. Franklin (approx. 0.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sautee Nacoochee.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker.

Also see . . . Sautee Nacoochee Center. Website homepage (Submitted on July 20, 2018, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee.)

Emancipation Wall image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Leah Tibbs, May 1, 2021

3. Emancipation Wall

The back side of the "African American Heritage Site" marker can also be seen in the distance in front of the parking area.

"Nacoochee slave cabin" image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Leah Tibbs, May 1, 2021

4. "Nacoochee slave cabin"

Credits. This page was last revised on February 24, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 20, 2018, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 651 times since then and 36 times this year. Last updated on May 12, 2021, by David Tibbs of Resaca, Georgia. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 20, 2018, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. 3, 4. submitted on May 12, 2021, by David Tibbs of Resaca, Georgia. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.