Each site on Georgia's Chieftains Trial is selected for its importance in understanding the Native American cultures that thrived here from the dawn of Man in North American until 1838, when the Cherokee Indians were forced west on the Trail of Tears.

Chief Vann House, Chatsworth, GA
At the dawn of the 19th century Chief James Vann was one of the wealthiest men in the Western Hemisphere. In 1804 he built Vann House along the Georgia Road (Federal Road after 1819), the Showplace of the Cherokee Nation. President James Madison spent a night here in 1819 while on his way to Nashville.

Chieftains Museum, Rome, GA.
Home of Major Ridge, wealthy Cherokee chief and friend of Andrew Jackson who lfought in the Creek War (1813-1814), led the Lighthorse Patrol and advised Principal Chief John Ross until their split over the Treaty of New Echota (1835).

Etowah Indian Mounds, Cartersville, GA.
Last of the prehistoric cultures, the members of this Mississippean tribe built several mounds in the fertile Etowah River watershed, including these within the boundaries of this Georgia State Park

Fort Mountain State Park, Chatsworth, GA.
Site of an enigmatic Woodland Indian stone wall, mistaken for a fort by early settlers.

Funk Heritage Center, Waleska, GA.
Home of Major Ridge, wealthy Cherokee chief and friend of Andrew Jackson who lfought in the Creek War (1813-1814), led the Lighthorse Patrol and advised Principal Chief John Ross until their split over the Treaty of New Echota (1835).

New Echota, First Capital of the Cherokee Nation, Calhoun, GA.
On this site stood the hopes of the Cherokee people in their final stand against settlers, The Cherokee formed a national government including a Supreme Court, bi-cameral legisature, and the Cherokee Phoenix, first Native American newspaper.

For more information on individual sites, be sure to visit our Chieftains Trail links