Adairsville in Gordon County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)
Cherokee Nation
During the early 1800’s, northern Georgia was heart of the sovereign, independent Cherokee Indian Nation. By this time Cherokee were the most progressive Indian tribe in North America. In 1821, they became the first American Indians with a written form of their native language, invented by Sequoyah, an uneducated Cherokee.
New Echota, the Cherokee national capital, was located 10 miles north. There a constitutional government of executive, legislative, and judicial branches ruled the Nation. Once the largest town in the area, New Echota consisted of houses, stores, taverns, a Council house, Supreme Court house, and a printing office which published a national bilingual newspaper, the CHEROKEE PHOENIX.
Most of the 17,000 Cherokee were farmers and lived in small log cabins but some grew very wealthy and owned great plantations such as the Vann House, located 27 miles north.
In 1838, at gunpoint, the Cherokee were rounded up and imprisoned by state and federal armies. Later that year they were forced to what is now Oklahoma. Four thousand Cherokees died on the terrible march west known as the “Trail of Tears.”
Erected 1983 by Georgia Department of Natural Resources. (Marker Number 064-32.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Native Americans. In addition, it is included in the Georgia Historical Society, and the Trail of Tears series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1821.
Location. 34° 24.55′ N, 84° 55.058′ W. Marker is in Adairsville, Georgia, in Gordon County. Marker can be reached from Interstate 75, 3 miles north of Georgia Route 140. The marker is located at the upper section of the northbound rest area on I-75. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Adairsville GA 30103, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Original Site Adairsville — 1830’s (approx. 1.3 miles away); Major John Lewis (approx. 2.1 miles away); Historic Trimble House (approx. 2.2 miles away); Mosteller's Mills (approx. 3 miles away); Johnston's Army at Adairsville (approx. 3 miles away); Federal Armies at Adairsville (approx. 3 miles away); Joe P. Bowdoin, M.D. (approx. 3 miles away); Adairsville, Georgia (approx. 3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Adairsville.
Credits. This page was last revised on November 25, 2020. It was originally submitted on September 17, 2008, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. This page has been viewed 2,203 times since then and 37 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 17, 2008, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.