Near Ringgold in Catoosa County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)
Old Federal Road
Photographed by David Seibert, June 26, 2008
1. Old Federal Road Marker
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.
Erected 1996 by Georgia Department of Natural Resources. (Marker Number 023-7.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Roads & Vehicles • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Georgia Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1805.
Location. 34° 54.341′ N, 85° 4.595′ W. Marker is near Ringgold, Georgia, in Catoosa County. It is
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Georgia’s Mountains. It is also in the American South and specifically in the Deep South. 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 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Old Stone Presbyterian Church (within shouting distance of this marker); Stone Church (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Stone Church And Catoosa Station (about 300 feet away); Trail of Tears Memorial (about 300 feet away); Cherokee Springs Confederate Hospital (approx. 0.9 miles away); Catoosa Springs Confederate Hospitals (approx. 1.3 miles away); Confederate General Patrick Cleburne's Emancipation Proposal (approx. 1½ miles away); General Patrick R. Cleburne Memorial (approx. 1½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Ringgold.
Credits. This page was last revised on August 4, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 6, 2008, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. This page has been viewed 2,221 times since then and 52 times this year. Last updated on October 4, 2022, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. Photo 1. submitted on October 6, 2008, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
Editor’s want-list for this marker. Wide shot of marker and its surroundings. • Can you help?
