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 Marker
In 1820 the Cherokee Nation divided its territory into eight districts with land in Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, and Tennessee. The village of 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 these topic lists: Government & Politics • Indigenous Peoples and Communities. 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. It is on County Road 97 0.2 miles north of Main Street (State Route 68), on the left when traveling north. The marker is located
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in East Alabama and specifically in North Alabama. 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, a Gulf of Mexico state, 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 Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
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 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);
Photographed by Angela Nichols
2. Chattooga Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on November 19, 2024. It was originally submitted on November 5, 2023, by Angela Nichols of Centre, Alabama. This page has been viewed 1,886 times since then and 53 times this year. Last updated on October 31, 2024, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 5, 2023, by Angela Nichols of Centre, Alabama. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.
