Etowah Indian Mounds

 

Brief History

• The Etowah Indian Mounds are part of a large Mississippian culture archaeological site, occupied between 1000 – 1550 CE.

• The Mississippian people were mound builders, creating flat-topped earthen mounds for temples, elite residences, and ceremonial purposes.

• At its peak, the site was home to 1,000–3,000 people, functioning as both a political and religious center.

• The largest mound, Mound A, stands about 63 feet high and was used by the ruling elite.

• The site also includes a defensive ditch, village areas, burial grounds, and artifacts (shell gorgets, copper ornaments, pottery) showing advanced craftsmanship and trade networks stretching across North America.

• The site was eventually abandoned around the mid-1500s, likely due to warfare, disease, or European contact disruptions.

History and Culture

The mounds were built and occupied by a regional variation of the Mississippian culture, a group of sophisticated mound-building peoples who inhabited eastern North America. They were the ancestors of the historic Muscogee (Creek) people. Although later European settlers incorrectly attributed the mounds to the Cherokee, archaeological evidence shows that the Cherokee arrived in the area much later

The Etowah site was a vibrant, fortified town with a complex social structure. The people were skilled farmers, growing corn, beans, and squash, and they supplemented their diet with hunting and fishing. They built sophisticated V-shaped rock weirs in the Etowah River to catch fish. The town was protected by a large defensive ditch and a palisade of 12-foot-high logs

 Timeline

1000 CE – The Etowah site is first occupied by Mississippian peoples.

1000–1200 CE – Initial construction of the mounds begins; the community grows into a regional center.

1250–1375 CE – Etowah reaches its peak, with complex political and religious leadership. Elaborate burials with copper, shell, and stone artifacts are made.

1375–1550 CE – Decline begins; the site is attacked and partially abandoned, then reoccupied for a time before final abandonment.

1540s – Hernando de Soto’s expedition passes through the Southeast; scholars debate whether his party visited Etowah.

1840s–1880s – First archaeological digs occur, often destructive.

1920s–1930s – Professional excavations led by Warren K. Moorehead uncover artifacts now in museums.

1953 – Site designated a National Historic Landmark.

Present Day – Etowah Indian Mounds Historic Site is open to the public, preserved by the State of Georgia.

Archaeological Findings

Extensive archaeological excavations since the late 19th century have revealed a treasure trove of artifacts that provide insight into the lives of the Etowah people. These findings include:

• Copper plates and other ornate objects that were likely part of a chief's ceremonial regalia.
• Carved marine shell gorgets (pendants) depicting the Birdman, a heroic figure important in Mississippian cosmology.
• Stone statues of a seated man and a kneeling woman, believed to represent lineage ancestors.

These artifacts demonstrate the advanced artistic and technical skills of the Etowah people. Today, the Etowah Indian Mounds State Historic Site is open to the public, with a museum showcasing many of these findings and trails that allow visitors to explore the mounds and the surrounding area.

LOCATION:

The Etowah Indian Mounds State Historic Site is located at:

813 Indian Mounds Road SE Cartersville, GA 30120

It is situated in Bartow County, on the north bank of the Etowah River, about 3 miles south of the city of Cartersville.

ScottsBluff National Monument

 Scotts Bluff National Monument, located in western Nebraska near Gering, is a prominent geological and historical landmark that played a significant role in America's westward expansion. Rising approximately 800 feet above the North Platte River, the bluff served as a vital navigational aid for pioneers traveling along the Oregon, California, Mormon Pioneer, and Pony Express Trails. The monument preserves over 3,000 acres of mixed-grass prairie, rugged badlands, and remnants of these historic trails.

Historical Overview

• Early Significance: The bluff is named after Hiram Scott, a fur trader who died near the formation in 1828 under mysterious circumstances. His death led to the naming of the landmark, which became a crucial waypoint for emigrants heading west.

• Emigrant Landmark: Between 1843 and 1869, over 250,000 emigrants passed by Scotts Bluff on their journey westward. The natural gap known as Mitchell Pass became the preferred route for many travelers after its development in the early 1850s. 

• Settlement and Development: The towns of Gering (founded in 1887) and Scottsbluff (founded in 1900) developed near the bluff, contributing to the region's growth and the eventual establishment of the monument.

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

  Timeline of Key Events

• December 12, 1919: President Woodrow Wilson designated Scotts Bluff as a National Monument under the Antiquities Act, preserving 2,053 acres. 

• 1930s: The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) constructed the Summit Road, including three tunnels, and began building the Oregon Trail Museum (now the Visitor Center) using adobe bricks. The central portion of the museum was completed in 1935. 

• 1937-1938: The tower and Paleontology wing of the museum were constructed, enhancing the site's educational offerings. 

• 1948: The Jackson wing of the museum was completed, finalizing the structure as it stands today. 

• 1961: Congress passed Public Law 87-68, adjusting the monument's boundaries to better preserve its scenic and historic integrity. 

• 1976: Scotts Bluff National Monument was listed on the National Register of Historic Places, recognizing its national significance

St.Simon Island LightHouse

 

The St. Simons Island Lighthouse, located on Georgia’s coast, has a rich maritime history dating back to the early 19th century. Originally built in 1810 by James Gould, the lighthouse was destroyed during the Civil War in 1862. The current brick tower, constructed in 1872, remains in operation today. It houses a third-order Fresnel lens and continues to serve as an active navigational aid. The adjacent keeper’s house is now a museum open to the public, managed by the Coastal Georgia Historical Society.

Timeline of Key Events:

• 1810 – First lighthouse built by James Gould, the first keeper.

• 1862 – Original lighthouse destroyed by Confederate troops during the Civil War.

• 1872 – Current lighthouse constructed (104 feet tall, brick).

• 1950s – Lighthouse automated, ending the need for a full-time keeper.

• Present Day – Functions as an active aid to navigation and museum for visitors.

Original Lighthouse (1810):
The first lighthouse on St. Simons Island was completed in 1810. It stood 75 feet tall and was built by James Gould, the first lighthouse keeper.

Civil War Destruction (1862):
The original lighthouse was destroyed by retreating Confederate forces during the American Civil War to prevent its use by Union troops.

Current Lighthouse (1872):
The existing lighthouse was built in 1872 to replace the original. It stands 104 feet tall and is made of brick.

Fresnel Lens:
It houses a third-order Fresnel lens, which magnifies light and allows it to be seen from up to 23 miles away.

Keeper's Dwelling:
The lighthouse includes a beautiful Victorian-era keeper’s house, which is now a museum.

Automated Light (1950s):
The lighthouse was automated in the mid-20th century, eliminating the need for a full-time lighthouse keeper.

Museum and Tourist Site:
Today, the lighthouse and the keeper's quarters are open to the public as part of the Coastal Georgia Historical Society. Visitors can climb the 129 steps to the top.

Active Aid to Navigation:
Despite being a historical site, the lighthouse is still an active navigational aid for ships entering St. Simons Sound.

Fort King George

 Fort King George is a historic military outpost located near Darien, Georgia, along the Altamaha River, and is one of the earliest English fortifications in what would become the colony of Georgia.

Built: 1721
By: British colonists from South Carolina
Location: Just south of present-day Darien, Georgia
Purpose: To defend the southern frontier of British colonial interests against Spanish Florida and French Louisiana.

🛡️ Historical Significance

• Oldest British Fort in Georgia: Fort King George was the first English military outpost on Georgia’s coast—built more than a decade before James Oglethorpe founded Savannah in 1733.

• Strategic Location: Positioned along the Altamaha River, it served as a buffer zone between Spanish-controlled Florida and English colonies to the north.

Fort King George Timeline

1721
🔹 Construction Begins

• Built by the British as a southern outpost to defend against Spanish forces from Florida.

• Constructed of cypress wood and tabby (a type of concrete), it was garrisoned by British troops (mainly "invalid" soldiers—retired or wounded men).

1721–1727
🔹 Harsh Conditions

• Soldiers faced disease, swampy terrain, and isolation. Many died from malaria and other ailments.

1727
🔹 Abandonment

• The British abandon the fort due to unlivable conditions and high mortality rates.

1736
🔹 Oglethorpe Arrives

• General James Oglethorpe later uses the knowledge gained from Fort King George’s failure to establish more effective forts in Georgia, including Fort Frederica on St. Simons Island.

1736–1742
🔹 Scottish Highlanders Settle Nearby

• Oglethorpe brings in Scottish Highlanders to settle nearby Darien, forming a more permanent and healthier community to defend the area.

Mid–1900s
🔹 Historic Interest Grows

• The site is recognized for its colonial significance.

1960s–1970s
🔹 Reconstruction and State Historic Site Established

• Fort King George is reconstructed based on historical records and archaeological evidence and becomes a Georgia State Historic Site.

SHERMAN'S MARCH

 

Sherman's March to the Sea: Timeline

November 15, 1864
🔹 Departure from Atlanta

• General William T. Sherman begins his march from Atlanta, Georgia, after ordering the destruction of military resources and infrastructure.

November 16–21, 1864
🔹 Advances through central Georgia

• Union troops split into two wings and move south and southeast, destroying railroads, crops, and supplies to cripple the Confederacy’s war effort.

November 22, 1864
🔹 Battle of Griswoldville

• A small but fierce engagement; Union forces defeat Georgia militia near Griswoldville.

Late November 1864
🔹 Milledgeville occupied

• The capital of Georgia is captured; Union soldiers burn public buildings and the statehouse.

December 3–9, 1864
🔹 Approaching Savannah

• Sherman’s forces converge on Savannah, meeting light resistance as they near the coast.

December 10–20, 1864
🔹 Siege of Savannah

• Union forces surround Savannah and cut off Confederate supplies.

December 21, 1864
🔹 Savannah falls

• Confederate General William Hardee evacuates Savannah. Sherman captures the city and offers it to President Lincoln as a "Christmas gift."

Fort McAllister

 Fort McAllister, located near Richmond Hill, Georgia, is a well-preserved Confederate earthwork fort built during the Civil War. Designed to protect Savannah and the Ogeechee River, it withstood multiple Union naval attacks due to its strong earthen defenses. However, in December 1864, during his famous “March to the Sea,” General William T. Sherman’s troops captured the fort in a swift land assault, opening the path to Savannah. Today, Fort McAllister is a state historic park, showcasing original earthworks, cannons, and a museum. It offers a glimpse into Civil War military engineering and the final chapters of Sherman’s campaign.

Fort McAllister was constructed between 1861 and 1862 by the Confederacy to defend Savannah, Georgia, from Union attacks, especially by sea. Instead of traditional brick or stone, it was built mainly from earth and sand, which absorbed artillery fire far better. Throughout the Civil War, Union ironclad ships repeatedly bombarded Fort McAllister, but the fort held strong each time, thanks to its clever design.

Its real test came in December 1864 during General Sherman’s "March to the Sea." After weeks of cutting through Georgia, Sherman needed access to supplies from the coast. His troops attacked Fort McAllister by land and quickly overran it, allowing Sherman to capture Savannah soon after.

TimeLine:

1861-1862: Fort McAllister is built by the Confederacy to defend the Ogeechee River and Savannah from Union attacks.

1862-1863: The fort successfully repels several Union naval attacks, including bombardments from ironclad warships.

Late 1864: General William T. Sherman’s "March to the Sea" cuts through Georgia, aiming for Savannah.

December 13, 1864: Union forces under Sherman assault and capture Fort McAllister in less than 15 minutes during a fierce land attack.

December 21, 1864: With Fort McAllister fallen and supply lines open, Sherman captures the city of Savannah.

Mount Rushmore

 

Mount Rushmore National Memorial, located in the Black Hills of South Dakota, is a monumental tribute to four iconic U.S. presidents: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln. Carved into granite by sculptor Gutzon Borglum between 1927 and 1941, the 60-foot-high faces represent the nation’s birth, growth, development, and preservation. This historic site attracts over two million visitors annually, celebrating American ideals and history. Surrounded by scenic landscapes and rich cultural heritage, Mount Rushmore stands as a powerful symbol of democracy and national pride, making it one of the most recognized and visited landmarks in the United States.