This was our last day and we still had two more things we wanted to see: the Etowah Indian Mounds and the Chieftain Museum/Major Ridge House. We had done so much driving over the last few days -- 2398 miles to be exact. But we had covered so much territory and learned so much history along the way.
The Etowah Mounds (in Cartersville, GA) date from 1000-1550 AD and are representative of the Mississippian Indians of the Southeast. The largest mound was used as a temple. In between and on top of the mounds would be family housing and there would be a large plaza-like section in the middle for ceremonial gatherings.
CHIEFTAIN MUSEUM/MAJOR RIDGE HOME
This site was the home of Major Ridge (in Rome, GA), an important figure in Cherokee history. Major Ridge was one of four signers of the Treaty of New Echota, which gave away the Cherokee land rights in the East for land in Indian Territory (now Oklahoma). Major Ridge was not an official representative of Cherokee Nation and Principal Chief John Ross tried to have the Treaty of New Echota revoked. He took his case to Congress and lost by one vote. This was the beginning of the Trail of Tears. Major Ridge moved to Indian Territory and was assassinated along with two other signers of the treaty, his son, John Ridge, and Elias Boudinot. To this day there is a dissension among Cherokees between those who supported the Treaty Party and those who supported the Ross Party. At this museum the position of the Treaty Party is presented. It's pretty safe to say that there are more Ross Party supporters so it was interesting to see the other side of this important event in Cherokee history.
Our flight from Atlanta to San Jose was non-stop. Sam picked us up at the airport and we made it home by 10 PM.
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