Near Gaylesville in Cherokee County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)

Chattooga

Former Capital of the Cherokee Nation

Photographed By Angela Nichols

1. Chattooga, former capital of the Cherokee Nation Marker

Inscription. In 1820 the Cherokee Nation divided its territory into eight districts with land in Alabama, Georgia, the village of North Carolina, and Tennessee. Chattooga was chosen as base for the Alabama district, and a small log cabin near here served as its courthouse. Chattooga became the capital of the Cherokee Nation in 1831 when it was forbidden by the State of Georgia to hold meetings at its base in New Echota. The courthouse then doubled as the Cherokee capital. Chief John Ross addressed a meeting here of the Cherokee General Council on October 24, 1831. Because of its inconvenient location, the Cherokee capital was moved to Red Clay, Tennessee in the summer of 1832.

Erected 2022 by Cherokee County Historical Society.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Native Americans. A significant historical date for this entry is October 24, 1831.

Location. 34° 17.748′ N, 85° 30.98′ W. Marker is near Gaylesville, Alabama, in Cherokee County. Marker is on County Road 97, 0.2 miles north of Main Street (Alabama Route 68), on the left. The marker is located north of Oak Bowery Holiness Church on County Road 97 (Bell Crossroad). Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 675 County Rd 97, Gaylesville AL 35973, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Occupation of Gaylesville (approx. 3.1 miles

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away); Gaylesville (approx. 3.4 miles away); Chattooga River (approx. 3.4 miles away); Gen. N.B. Forrest Captured Col. A.D. Streight (approx. 4½ miles away); Long Shadows House (approx. 5.1 miles away); Colonel Charles Rattray (approx. 5.2 miles away); Cherokee County Veterans Memorial (approx. 5.3 miles away); Cornwall Furnace Memorial Park (approx. 5.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Gaylesville.

Photographed By Angela Nichols

2. Chattooga, former capital of the Cherokee Nation Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on November 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 5, 2023, by Angela Nichols of Centre, Alabama. This page has been viewed 138 times since then and 53 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 5, 2023, by Angela Nichols of Centre, Alabama. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.