Most residents and visitors to the state of Georgia understand the historical significance the state holds in a variety of forms. For example, we wrote about St. Mary’s a few months ago, The Oldest Town In Georgia That Everyone Should Visit At Least Once, which highlighted the fact that St. Mary’s is the second oldest city in the entire country! But history doesn’t just stop there. In fact, there is a tiny village in Calhoun, Georgia which is a HUGE part of the history of the United States. Take a look…

New Echota is one of the most significant Cherokee Indian villages in the entire country.
Flickr J. Stephen Conn
It was where the heartbreaking Trail of Tears began.
Flickr J Stephen Conn
Back in 1825, New Echota was the capital of the Cherokee Nation. (Above translates to Cherokee Nation).
Flickr BY-YOUR-⌘
But in the 1830s, the Cherokees were forcefully removed from their land and their village, which is what began the Trail of Tears, a tragic migration which ended in over 4,000 Cherokee deaths.
Flickr J. Stephen Conn
The site now remains a state park and historic site, and is in fact, designated as a National Historic Landmark.
Flickr J. Stephen Conn
New Echota is considered much of a hidden gem in Georgia, but teaches the history of the Cherokee people, which played such an important role for the state as well as the country.
Flickr J. Stephen Conn

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For example, New Echota was the site of the very first Indian language newspaper office. You can still see the printing press they used when visiting.
Flickr J. Stephen Conn
It also was the site of a court case which carried all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court. Touring the Cherokee Nation Supreme Court Building is exciting and historically important.
Flickr J. Stephen Conn
Visitors will be able to see how the village worked in terms of selling goods that were harvested to make a profit.
Flickr J. Stephen Conn
Even on the way in to New Echota, visitors will pass the Sequoyah Statue, paying homage to the inventor of the Cherokee alphabet.
Flickr Brent Moore
New Echota is a great village to take the family, learn about the Cherokee people, and step inside some of the original buildings that still stand to this day.
Flickr J. Stephen Conn

If you feel like taking a trip to New Echota, then use the following address and map:

1211 GA-225

Calhoun, Georgia 30701

Google Maps

Or if you’re really digging Georgia history as of late, then you’ll probably love These 10 Rare Photos Show Georgia’s Railroad History Like Never Before.

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