New Echota Historic  Site Capital of the Cherokee Nation

Calhoun, Georgia

Feature a beautiful illustration or painting of New Echota Historic Site, including:

The reconstructed Cherokee Council House

Cherokee Print Shop

Vann’s Tavern

Historic log cabins

Split-rail fences

Rolling North Georgia landscape

Cherokee people in traditional clothing

Cherokee Phoenix newspaper press

Autumn trees and blue skies

Include subtle Cherokee-inspired decorative borders and traditional Native American design accents.

ABOUT NEW ECHOTA

New Echota Historic Site preserves the location of the last capital of the Cherokee Nation in the southeastern United States.

Established in 1825, it became the political, cultural, and judicial center of the Cherokee people. Today, the historic site allows visitors to

 explore reconstructed and original buildings while learning about Cherokee government, education, language, and daily life before the Trail of Tears.

HISTORY

In 1825, the Cherokee National Council selected New Echota as the capital of the Cherokee Nation. Here the Cherokee established a written 

constitution, a Supreme Court, schools, and government offices. It was also home to the Cherokee Phoenix, the first Native American            

newspaper published in both English and the Cherokee syllabary created by Sequoyah.                                                                                           

New Echota became one of the most advanced Native American governments in North America. Unfortunately, the signing of the 

Treaty of New Echota in 1835 led to the forced removal of thousands of Cherokee people during the Trail of Tears between 1838 and 1839.

 WHY IT MATTERS

New Echota represents:

The capital of the Cherokee Nation

Cherokee self-government and democracy

The Cherokee Phoenix newspaper
Sequoyah’s written Cherokee language
The beginning of the Trail of Tears
One of America’s most significant Native American historic sites

It stands today as a place of remembrance, education, and respect for Cherokee history and culture.

PRESERVATION & LEGACY

The site was preserved through archaeological work and restoration beginning in the 1950s. It officially opened as a 

Georgia State Historic Site in 1962 and later became a National Historic Landmark. Visitors today can tour original and reconstructed

 buildings, view museum exhibits, watch an educational film, and walk the grounds where Cherokee leaders once governed their nation.

FEATURE SIGN

NEW ECHOTA HISTORIC SITE

Capital of the Cherokee Nation

Trail of Tears National Historic Landmark

TODAY

Today, New Echota Historic Site welcomes visitors from around the world to experience Cherokee history through 

restored buildings, museum exhibits, educational programs, walking trails, and guided tours. The site honors the achievements, resilience,

and enduring legacy of the Cherokee Nation while preserving one of Georgia’s most important historic landmarks.

Visitor Information

Address
1211 Chatsworth Highway NE
Calhoun, Georgia 30701

Phone
(706) 624-1321

Managed By Georgia Department of Natural Resources

National Historic Landmark Trail of Tears National Historic Trail