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DISCOVER CALHOUN
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TRAIL OF TEARS ORIGINAL ROUTE
During the Cherokee Removal of 1838 several thousand North Carolina Cherokees were forcibly removed from their lands and marched to the containment camps of Fort Cass, present day Charleston. This route led through Calhoun, down present day Main Street, to the ferry crossing at the Hiwassee River. Historical journals of soldiers during the removal confirm that as many as three-thousand Cherokees were camped on the "meadows of the Hiwassee" awaiting their ferry crossing.
During the Cherokee Removal of 1838 several thousand North Carolina Cherokees were forcibly removed from their lands and marched to the containment camps of Fort Cass, present day Charleston. This route led through Calhoun, down present day Main Street, to the ferry crossing at the Hiwassee River. Historical journals of soldiers during the removal confirm that as many as three-thousand Cherokees were camped on the "meadows of the Hiwassee" awaiting their ferry crossing.
THE SHILOH PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH & CEMETERY
The Shiloh Presbyterian Church was established in 1823 by funds donated by Governor Joseph McMinn. McMinn attended the church, which at the time was located on Blair's Ferry Road, now Main Street. The church was one of the largest and most impressive structures for the time and was described as the best meeting house south of Knoxville. During the Civil War Union soldiers dismantled the church and used the building materials to construct a pontoon bridge across the Hiwassee River and winter barracks. The church never rebuilt on the site, but relocated to Charleston, TN in the early 1900's after receiving government reimbursement for the destruction of the church. Across the road from the cemetery is a Tennessee Civil War Trails marker denoting "The Destruction of the Meeting House".
The Shiloh Presbyterian Church was established in 1823 by funds donated by Governor Joseph McMinn. McMinn attended the church, which at the time was located on Blair's Ferry Road, now Main Street. The church was one of the largest and most impressive structures for the time and was described as the best meeting house south of Knoxville. During the Civil War Union soldiers dismantled the church and used the building materials to construct a pontoon bridge across the Hiwassee River and winter barracks. The church never rebuilt on the site, but relocated to Charleston, TN in the early 1900's after receiving government reimbursement for the destruction of the church. Across the road from the cemetery is a Tennessee Civil War Trails marker denoting "The Destruction of the Meeting House".
GOVERNOR JOSEPH MCMINN
Joseph McMinn, state legislator, Indian agent, and governor, was born in Pennsylvania June 22, 1758. He served three times as Speaker of the Senate, and was governor of Tennessee for three terms between 1815 and 1821. After retiring as governor in 1821, McMinn bought a farm near Calhoun. Two years later, he was appointed as agent of the United States to the Cherokees. He died on November 17, 1824, at the Cherokee Agency on the Hiwassee River and was buried in the Shiloh Presbyterian Church Cemetery, which he had helped established two years earlier.
Joseph McMinn, state legislator, Indian agent, and governor, was born in Pennsylvania June 22, 1758. He served three times as Speaker of the Senate, and was governor of Tennessee for three terms between 1815 and 1821. After retiring as governor in 1821, McMinn bought a farm near Calhoun. Two years later, he was appointed as agent of the United States to the Cherokees. He died on November 17, 1824, at the Cherokee Agency on the Hiwassee River and was buried in the Shiloh Presbyterian Church Cemetery, which he had helped established two years earlier.
THE SAULPAW MANSION
This large Victorian mansion was built in 1879 by G.L. Saulpaw. Situated on Church Street, the home has been the scene of many galas and events throughout its history. The 16 room mansion features elaborate gingerbread trim, a tower room, two staircases and numerous fireplaces with carved mantels. The house is still maintained today as a private residence and has a variety of victorian gardens.
This large Victorian mansion was built in 1879 by G.L. Saulpaw. Situated on Church Street, the home has been the scene of many galas and events throughout its history. The 16 room mansion features elaborate gingerbread trim, a tower room, two staircases and numerous fireplaces with carved mantels. The house is still maintained today as a private residence and has a variety of victorian gardens.
THE ANGEL MONUMENT
This monument lies in the old Methodist Cemetery on Church Street. Marking the final resting place of The G.W. Saulpaw family, it is one of the most ornate markers in the county. G.W. Saulpaw was a prominent bridge builder during the 1800's and acquired a great fortune. The family built several other mansions in the area and was a vast landowner along the Hiwassee River.
This monument lies in the old Methodist Cemetery on Church Street. Marking the final resting place of The G.W. Saulpaw family, it is one of the most ornate markers in the county. G.W. Saulpaw was a prominent bridge builder during the 1800's and acquired a great fortune. The family built several other mansions in the area and was a vast landowner along the Hiwassee River.
THE SAULPAW MILL DAM
This site on the Eastanallee Creek was the site of several different mills, dating back to the early 1800's. Cherokee John Walker had a lumber and grist mill here prior to the Removal of 1838. Later the property was purchased by the McElrath family who also maintained the mills. In1869 G.W. Saulpaw acquired the property and built a large flour mill and erected the mill dam from large stones quarried up the river. The mill produced a variety of flour known as "Silver Queen". The mills were torn down by TVA as part of their flood control.
This site on the Eastanallee Creek was the site of several different mills, dating back to the early 1800's. Cherokee John Walker had a lumber and grist mill here prior to the Removal of 1838. Later the property was purchased by the McElrath family who also maintained the mills. In1869 G.W. Saulpaw acquired the property and built a large flour mill and erected the mill dam from large stones quarried up the river. The mill produced a variety of flour known as "Silver Queen". The mills were torn down by TVA as part of their flood control.
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DESTRUCTION OF THE MEETING HOUSE
Located within The Hiwassee Meadowland Park is a Tennessee Civil War Trails marker denoting "The Destruction of the Meeting House". In the winter of 1863, Union Troops dismantled the Shiloh Presbyterian Church and used the materials to construct winter quarters and a pontoon bridge across the Hiwassee River. Congressional records include many eye-witness accounts from town residents as the church was torn down. The Railroad Bridge across the Hiwassee River was considered a key point to both the Union and Confederate Armies. |
GRAVESITE OF SARAH ELIZABETH ROSS
Sarah Elizabeth Ross was the young daughter of Lewis Ross, notable Cherokee businessman. She was the niece of John Ross, principal chief of the Cherokees during the Removal of 1838. Sarah died in 1823 and is buried in the oldest section of the Methodist Cemetery. She is surrounded by other Cherokee descendants of the time. A special marker has been placed by the DAR noting her significant Cherokee heritage.
Sarah Elizabeth Ross was the young daughter of Lewis Ross, notable Cherokee businessman. She was the niece of John Ross, principal chief of the Cherokees during the Removal of 1838. Sarah died in 1823 and is buried in the oldest section of the Methodist Cemetery. She is surrounded by other Cherokee descendants of the time. A special marker has been placed by the DAR noting her significant Cherokee heritage.
THE HIWASSEE RIVER BLUEWAY
The Hiwassee River Blueway offers 55 miles of river adventure in Southeast Tennessee, extending from Appalachia Dam near the border of North Carolina to the Tennessee River. The upper section of the river flows through the Cherokee National Forest and is designated a State Scenic River. On any given day, you’ll see paddlers, fishermen, motorboats and snorkelers enjoying this diverse river, which serves as the lifeblood for much of the region’s wildlife, agriculture and industry. Calhoun serves as an access point to the Blueway with signage noting the historical significance of the river.
The Hiwassee River Blueway offers 55 miles of river adventure in Southeast Tennessee, extending from Appalachia Dam near the border of North Carolina to the Tennessee River. The upper section of the river flows through the Cherokee National Forest and is designated a State Scenic River. On any given day, you’ll see paddlers, fishermen, motorboats and snorkelers enjoying this diverse river, which serves as the lifeblood for much of the region’s wildlife, agriculture and industry. Calhoun serves as an access point to the Blueway with signage noting the historical significance of the river.
THE SHAMBLIN/CARR LOG HOUSE
Just outside Calhoun on Hwy. 163 sits this one room log cabin. The cabin has been classified as a "witness structure" by MTSU denoting its existence at the time the Cherokee Nation was forcibly removed west during the Trail of Tears. It is hoped that in the future this cabin can be restored and become a site of The Tennessee Overhill Experience.
Just outside Calhoun on Hwy. 163 sits this one room log cabin. The cabin has been classified as a "witness structure" by MTSU denoting its existence at the time the Cherokee Nation was forcibly removed west during the Trail of Tears. It is hoped that in the future this cabin can be restored and become a site of The Tennessee Overhill Experience.
THE TENNESSEE OVERHILL HERITAGE ASSOCIATION
The Tennessee Overhill Heritage Association (TOHA) represents the southeastern Tennessee counties of McMinn, Monroe, and Polk. They were selected as a pilot area for the National Trust for Historic Preservation's "Heritage Tourism Initiative." This program was established to honor local history, traditions, culture, and natural resources. The name Overhill was selected for the area to honor our earliest residents, the Overhill Cherokees. For more information: http://tennesseeoverhill.com/
The Tennessee Overhill Heritage Association (TOHA) represents the southeastern Tennessee counties of McMinn, Monroe, and Polk. They were selected as a pilot area for the National Trust for Historic Preservation's "Heritage Tourism Initiative." This program was established to honor local history, traditions, culture, and natural resources. The name Overhill was selected for the area to honor our earliest residents, the Overhill Cherokees. For more information: http://tennesseeoverhill.com/
THE RAILROAD BRIDGE ACROSS THE HIWASSEE
The East Tennessee and Georgia Railroad Bridge across the Hiwassee River was a strategic point for military struggle during the Civil War. Union loyalists burned it on November 8, 1861, and Union and Confederate forces later damaged it numerous times after it was rebuilt. The 1861 bridge burnings prompted Confederate and Union forces to tighten their military control over East Tennessee. The ironwork shown in the picture was replaced several years ago, but the bridge still rests on the original pilings.
The East Tennessee and Georgia Railroad Bridge across the Hiwassee River was a strategic point for military struggle during the Civil War. Union loyalists burned it on November 8, 1861, and Union and Confederate forces later damaged it numerous times after it was rebuilt. The 1861 bridge burnings prompted Confederate and Union forces to tighten their military control over East Tennessee. The ironwork shown in the picture was replaced several years ago, but the bridge still rests on the original pilings.