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

The Unicoi Turnpike

Photographed by Lee Hattabaugh, December 6, 2009

1. The Unicoi Turnpike Marker

Inscription. This road is the Old Unicoi Turnpike, first vehicular route to link East Tennessee, Western North Carolina and North Georgia with the head of navigation on the Savannah River system. Beginning on the Tugalo River, to the east of Toccoa, the road led this way, thence through Unicoi Gap and via Murphy, N.C. to Nine Mile Creek near Maryville, Tenn.

Permission to open the way as a toll road was given by the Cherokees in 1813 to a Company of Indians and white men. Tennessee and Georgia granted charters to the concern.

Prior to its establishment as a road, the trace was part of a trading path from Augusta to the Cherokees in East Tennessee.

Erected 2003 by Georgia Historical Marker. (Marker Number 154-1R.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Roads & Vehicles. In addition, it is included in the Georgia Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1813.

Location. 34° 41.203′ N, 83° 42.614′ W. Marker is in Sautee Nacoochee, Georgia, in White County. It is on Unicoi Turnpike (State Highway 17) 0.1 miles north of

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Helen Highway (State Highway 75), on the right when traveling north. 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 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: Three Families at the Farm (within shouting distance of this marker); Welcome to Hardman Farm State Historic Site (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Three Families at the Farm (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Welcome to Hardman Farm (about 300 feet away); a different marker also named Unicoi Turnpike

Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, December 21, 2025

2. The Unicoi Turnpike Marker

(about 400 feet away); Caretaker's House (about 400 feet away); The Unicoi Road (about 400 feet away); Corncribs & Gear House (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sautee Nacoochee.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 16, 2026. It was originally submitted on December 10, 2009, by Lee Hattabaugh of Capshaw, Alabama. This page has been viewed 1,662 times since then and 38 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on December 10, 2009, by Lee Hattabaugh of Capshaw, Alabama. 2. submitted on January 15, 2026, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.

Editor’s want-list for this marker. Wide area picture of the marker and its surroundings. • Can you help?