Salem in Oconee County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
The Cherokee Path
Photographed By Brian Scott, November 28, 2008
1. The Cherokee Path Marker - Front
[Front Side]:
The main trading path to the Cherokee Nation paralleled the route of Highway 11 for several miles at this point. This section of the path was used by travelers going from Keowee, the main Lower Town of the Cherokees, across the mountains to the Middle and Overhill Towns. The botanist William Bartram left a written account of his journey in 1776.
[Reverse Side]:
In addition to its importance in the indian trade, the path played a military role in the Cherokee War and the Revolution. It linked Fort Prince George (1753) on the Keowee River with Fort Loundon (1756) on the Little Tennessee. Expeditions against the Cherokees were led by Archibald Montgomery in 1760, James Grant in 1761, and Andrew Williamson in 1776.
Erected 1973 by S.C. Society, Daughters of the American Colonists. (Marker Number 37-3.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Forts and Castles • Native Americans • Roads & Vehicles • War, US Revolutionary • Wars, US Indian. In addition, it is included in the Daughters of the American Colonists, and the William Bartram Trails series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1776.
Location. 34° 53.833′
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 10 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Tamassee DAR School (approx. 1.3 miles away); Salem Confederate Monument (approx. 1˝ miles away); Texas Friendship Cottage (approx. 1˝ miles away); Josephine C. Peters — West Virginia Cottage (approx. 1˝ miles away); May Erwin Talmadge Auditorium/Gymnasium (approx. 1˝ miles away); Indian Trail and Thong Tree (approx. 1.6 miles away); In Memory of George R. Ryder (approx. 1.6 miles away); a different marker also named Tamassee DAR School (approx. 1.6 miles away); Tamassee Town (approx. 3.1 miles away); Cheowee Town (approx. 3.8 miles away).
Also see . . .
1. Cherokee Path. The Cherokee Path (also Keowee path) was the primary route from Charleston to Columbia, South Carolina in Colonial America, connecting all of the Cherokee territories. (Submitted on December 12, 2008, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.)
2. South Carolina Highway 11. The Cherokee Foothills National Scenic Highway (S.C. 11) winds its way through the northwest
Photographed By Brian Scott, November 28, 2008
2. The Cherokee Path Marker - Reverse
3. William Bartram. William Bartram (April 20, 1739 — July 22, 1823) was an American naturalist, the son of John Bartram. (Submitted on December 12, 2008, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.)
4. Bartram's Travels. Bartram's Travels is the short title of naturalist William Bartram's historically significant book describing his travels in the American South and encounters with American Indians between 1773 and 1777. (Submitted on December 12, 2008, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.)
5. Fort Prince George (South Carolina). Fort Prince George (not to be confused with Prince's Fort, which was in use in 1777 and also in South Carolina) was constructed in 1753 in northwest South Carolina, on the Cherokee Path. (Submitted on December 12, 2008, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.)
6. Fort Loudoun. During the French and Indian War (1754-1763) the British Colony of South Carolina felt threatened by French activities in the Mississippi Valley. (Submitted on December 12, 2008, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.)
Photographed By Brian Scott, November 28, 2008
3. The Cherokee Path Marker Looking Northeast Along Highway 11
4. William Bartram
Credits. This page was last revised on December 14, 2019. It was originally submitted on December 12, 2008, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 2,634 times since then and 95 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on December 12, 2008, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.
