New Echota State Park is a hidden gem located off I75 in northwest Georgia. This was the site of the Cherokee national capital and the spot where leaders of the Cherokee nation signed the treaty that lead to the infamous Trail of Tears. There are several buildings that have been recreated including a middle class log home, the town hall, print shop, and the Cherokee Supreme Court building. The grounds include a couple of short walking trails and the scenery is gorgeous. There is a small, but nicely done, museum and a great 15 minute film. We happened to visit on the 3rd weekend of the month which is when there are docents present. The docents working the print shop alone make this a worthwhile visit.
After watching the well done video in the Visitor Center theatre, and viewing the artifacts and information in the small exhibit hall, you can tour the grounds of the once "capital" city of the Cherokees. Here you'll find the Cherokee Supreme Court, Council House and site of a printing press that turned out the Phoenix newspaper printed in Cherokee and English. Most of the buildings are reconstructions, but done with the help of original plans and archaeological evidence that brings them back into life. A ranger or well informed volunteer tour guide would have been a big help. I had to keep checking my memory of facts picked up from the film and exhibit hall to recognize the significance of what I was seeing. Visiting the Chief Vann House 15 miles to the north prior to New Echota helped me establish the context of the town and its significance. It was remarkable to be able to stand in the area where the treaty that brought on the Trail of Tears was signed by a small sub-group of Cherokee leaders who felt that moving west was the best of any bad deal they might get from the government. While Elias Boudinot's house is not standing, the four corners of its foundations are marked and a sign acknowledges this was the location of the signing. All of these leaders were later assassinated in Indian Territory once the forced migration of the Cherokee was completed some years later. Boudinot's brother will later become a Confederate general during the Civil War. The informative exhibits make no excuses for the behavior of Georgia politicians and national politicians in treating the Cherokee so badly. It is pointed out that the U.S. Supreme Court backed the right of the Cherokee to keep their land, but that Andrew Jackson replied, "They have made their decision, now who is going to enforce it?" Little wonder that more traditional Cherokees today will not handle $20 bills that bear Jackson's picture. Be sure to walk all the way to the back of the town to see the Worcester home, the only original structure still extant. The missionary living here was arrested for being on Cherokee land without a Georgia government permit and imprisoned. This is a significant historical point and its within a few minutes of I-75. Well worth a quick visit.
Located off of I75 in northwest Georgia, this site was the capital of the Cherokee Nation and one of the begining points of the Trail Of Tears. There are several buildings that you can tour and this is an excellent walking area for you and your pet. The site covers a large area and you can spend quality time there. You will see the print shop where the orginal Cherokee newpaper was printed and learn much about the Cherokee and their way of life. Take the time to explore and enjoy what New Echota has to offer. You will be glad you did!
If you are headed north to the Great Smokey Mountain area, then you need to stop off in calhoun and visit New Echota. This was the captitol of the Cherokee nation before the trail of tears. It is a beautiful place and full of Cherokee history and charm.
I went to New Echota in November for a special event that they had, and I really enjoyed it. They have an office up front that has a really interesting museum, as well as a small theater room where they show a short film about the grounds and its part in Cherokee history. The grounds are part of the trail of tears and are very beautiful. They have several replicas of buildings that once stood and they are all highly maintained. Its a great place to learn about history, or even just take a walk. Definitely give it a try if you are ever in the area!
I learned a lot, mostly things that I should have learned in my Georgia history class, but I'm glad the state of Georgia is imparting the knowledge somewhere. the best part of the visit was the print shop where Bill (who was incredibly knowledgeable) gave us a great demonstration and summary of the creation and destruction of printing at New Echota. and don't miss the cemetery. it's not part of the walkable grounds, but a short drive (approximately 4 seconds) away.
Being from the area I have been to New Echota many many times. Each time I learn something new and have a great experience. The welcome center has a short video and a small museum area. After that you can walk the grounds and go in several period correct buildings (or look through the windows in they have displays set up, like the print shop does) and there are also signs with information about the area, time period, and historic building uses scattered about. Its a really fun and educational way to spend the afternoon. Most of the site is outdoors so make sure to wear climate appropriate clothing and bring a water bottle in the summer.
I absolutely loved this! I enjoyed the whole experience & the staff was so nice. If you love history, this is a must see.
In spite of the lack of funding which prevents the site from being open more and having more guides, New Echota is a beautiful place to visit. A nice small museum, a first rate short film and seven buildings spread across several acres. The last Eastern Capitol of the Cherokee Nation , New Echota was a thriving community until the removal and a recognized departure point on the Trail of Tears iA nature trail, a farmstead, a rescued tavern, the reconstructed Supreme Courthouse, Council House and print shop for the Cherokee Phoenix are among the points of interest. Great place to get the kids out of the car and let them run off a little steam.
This is yet another piece to my quest to visit all of the Georgia State Parks. I never knew much about the Cherokee Indians, and was amazed to learn that they actually adopted the European style of life, with modern homes and villages of the day. These were much simpler times, and was taken in by the tavern building on the self guided tour. Perfect size for a single gent to retire in, maybe I'll build a similar one someday. I'll have to go back, this particular day was bitterly cold and I did the tour very quickly, and passed up on the nature trail.