Near Blackwood in Gordon County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)
Oothcaloga Mission
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Photographed by David Seibert, June 30, 2008
1. Oothcaloga Mission Marker
The two-story portion of this house was the Oothcaloga Moravian Mission Station, serving this region of the Cherokee Nation from 1822 until 1833. John Gambold, whose grave lies 100 yards east, was first missionary here.
Built in 1821 by Joseph Crutchfield, and sold to the Moravians in 1822, this house was an active church and educational center for Cherokee adults and children. Gambold died Nov. 9, 1827. He was followed by J.R. Schimidt (1827-28), Franz Eder (1828~29), and Henry G. Clauder (1828~38). Clauder served Moravian Cherokee for 6 years after white people occupied this building in 1833, following the Georgia land lottery of 1832.
Erected 1959 by Georgia Historical Commission. (Marker Number 064-28.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the Georgia Historical Society series list. A significant historical month for this entry is October 1880.
Location. Marker has been reported missing. It was located near 34° 26.81′ N, 84° 54.871′ W. Marker was near Blackwood, Georgia, in Gordon County. It was on Belwood Road 1.6 miles south of Georgia Route
this page online
Regionally, this marker was in Georgia’s Mountains. It was also in the American South, specifically in the Deep South, in Appalachia, and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it was in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it found 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 5 miles of this location, measured as the crow flies: Richard Peters Plantation (approx. 2½ miles away); Cherokee Nation (approx. 2.6 miles away); Original Site Adairsville 1830s (approx. 3.6 miles away); Historic Liberty Cumberland Presbyterian Church (approx. 3.8 miles away); Liberty Church Grounds (approx. 3.8 miles away); Gordon County (approx. 4.4 miles away); The Calhoun Depot (approx. 4.4 miles away); a different marker also named Calhoun Depot (approx. 4.4 miles away).
Other markers no longer nearby. Oothcaloga Valley (was approx. 2.4 miles away but has been confirmed missing); Site of the Robert C. Saxon House (was approx. 3.4 miles away but has been confirmed missing).
More about this marker. There is construction work on Belwood Road in late 2012, possibly to widen the road, and the marker has been removed.
Also see . . . Photograph of Oothcaloga Moravian Mission. The mission building burned many years ago. This link contains a photo of the mission. (Submitted on September 3, 2008.)
Photographed by David Seibert, October 2, 2012
2. Oothcaloga Mission Marker
The marker stood approximately where the blue and white pole stands (at the edge of the road) in the center of the photo.
Credits. This page was last revised on November 25, 2020. It was originally submitted on September 2, 2008, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. This page has been viewed 2,556 times since then and 59 times this year. Last updated on October 3, 2012, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. Photos: 1. submitted on September 2, 2008, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. 2. submitted on October 3, 2012, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
