FORT BUFFINGTON Jennifer Lathren EDU 570 09032017 Significance

FORT BUFFINGTON Jennifer Lathren | EDU 570| 09/03/2017

Significance ■ SS 4 H 3 Explain Westward Expansion in America – b. Describe the impact of the Westward Expansion on American Indians; include the Trail of Tears, Battle of Little Bighorn and the forced relocation of American Indians to reservations.

Cherokee County, GA ■ Occupied as early as 11, 000 years ago by Paleo-Indians and then by the Cherokee Nation ■ During the 1700 s the Cherokee towns were self-sufficient & self-governing by one of the Seven Clans of the Cherokee ■ White Settlers began moving into the area around the mid-1700 s ■ 1831 the “new” Cherokee County was created – Which became dotted with gold mines and miners – “Gold Fever” set in ■ Indian Removal Act This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC

Cherokee County, GA ■ “Placer mining” took over – Panning for gold ■ State of Georgia and the Federal Government continually pressured the Cherokee to give up their land ■ Indian Removal Act of 1830 – ■ Treaty of New Echota signed in 1835 – ■ ■ Cherokee Nation exchanged their land east of the Mississippi for land in Oklahoma for a 5 million dollar payment from the federal government Many Cherokee felt betrayed by the decision that their leadership accepted the deal – ■ Legislation created forcing their removal Over 16, 000 signed a petition to prevent passage of the treaty Two local removal forts built in Cherokee County in 1837 – Fort Buffington – Fort Sixes In 1838 soldiers forcibly evicted the remaining Cherokee and sent them to the forts This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA

Fort Buffington ■ Men, women and children were taken from their land herded to make shift forts – Fort Buffington was one of 25 stockades used ■ 450 Cherokee Indians were sent to Fort Buffington This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA ■ 15, 000 Cherokee Indians began 800 mile journey west known as: “Trail of Tears” ■ 4, 000 Cherokees died

Fort Buffington ■ Fort Buffington’s exact location is unknown ■ Suggested to be on Highway 20 ■ The name is associated with a school: Buffington Elementary (originally) established in 1868 – Built with Fort timbers – Buffington ES is no longer in operation, but its gym is leased to Coach Carlos Adams.

The Georgia Trail of Tears chapter has worked hard to determine the site of the Fort. Plans are ongoing to certify the site and place interpretive signage.