Bethsalem Church

Bethsalem Church

This small frame church is all that remains of Bethsalem, a small farming community that was founded by freed slaves after Emancipation. The church began in a brush arbor. Later a log building was built that was replaced in the 1920’s by the current frame structure. For many years Bethsalem was a favorite site for camp meetings. A cemetery sits…

Read more

Reliance Historic District

Reliance Historic District

Wind alongside the Hiwassee River on Hwy 30 till you reach Webb’s Store at the junction of Highway 30/Highway 315. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the district includes Webb Brothers General Store, the 1898 L&N Railroad Watchman’s House, Hiwassee Union Church, and the Higdon Hotel. The store is open seasonally. The Watchman’s House has been restored and…

Read more

Nancy Ward Gravesite

Nancy Ward Gravesite

Nancy Ward, Beloved Woman of the Overhill Cherokees, and her son Fivekiller are buried here. Their graves overlook the pastoral landscape along the Ocoee River, near where she operated an inn at Womankiller Ford in her later years. The site is owned by the State of Tennessee and managed by the Hiwassee/Ocoee Hiwassee State Park.   See the Nancy Ward…

Read more

Fort Marr Blockhouse

Fort Marr Blockhouse

The original fort was built on the Old Federal Road (near the Tennessee / Georgia state line) in the early 19th century.  It was used in 1838 to detain Cherokee Indians prior to their forced removal on the Trail of Tears.  Time erased most of the fort’s structures, but the block house survived and was moved to the grounds of…

Read more

Hiwassee / Ocoee State Park

Hiwassee / Ocoee State Park

The Hiwassee/Ocoee State Park straddles both sides of the Hiwassee and Ocoee Rivers.  The Hiwassee is great for canoeing, rafting, and fishing, while the Ocoee provides Class III and IV whitewater rapids.  For river-side camping, check out Gee Creek Campground. Hiwassee/Ocoee State Park Brochure   | Hiwassee/Ocoee State Park Map Hiwassee/Ocoee State Park 423-263-0050 or 888-867-2757 www.tnstateparks.com/parks/about/hiwassee-ocoee

Read more