Where Georgia keeps its history right where it happened.
The Story
New Echota, established by the Cherokee national legislature in 1825 at the headwaters of the Oostanaula River, served as the capital of the Cherokee Nation until the forced removals of the late 1830s. Here the Cherokee adopted a written constitution in 1827 and, in 1828, began publishing the Cherokee Phoenix, the first Native American newspaper, using Sequoyah's syllabary. The 1835 Treaty of New Echota, signed at the town, ceded the Cherokees' remaining eastern lands and helped set the stage for the Trail of Tears. Today the state historic site preserves original and reconstructed buildings including the Council House, Court House, and Print Shop.
About this site
New Echota State Historic Site is a state historic site in Gordon County, Georgia. It is one of 104 historic sites cataloged in Gordon County on Georgia Roam.
The site sits at 34.5530, -84.8710. The nearest cataloged historic site is Haven of Rest Memorial Park Cemetery (cemetery), about 1.8 miles away. Others within a short drive include McClure’s Ferry, Harlan’s Cross Roads, and Crane Eater Cemetery.
This record is drawn from the Georgia DNR Historic Preservation Division. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.
New Echota, established by the Cherokee national legislature in 1825 at the headwaters of the Oostanaula River, served as the capital of the Cherokee Nation until the forced removals of the late 1830s. Here the Cherokee adopted a written constitution in 1827 and, in 1828, began publishing the Cherokee Phoenix, the first Native American newspaper, using Sequoyah's syllabary. The 1835 Treaty of New Echota, signed at the town, ceded the Cherokees' remaining eastern lands and helped set the stage for the Trail of Tears. Today the state historic site preserves original and reconstructed buildings including the Council House, Court House, and Print Shop.
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