Long Description:Included below are the two articles from the AGS book, links to
several Georgia Historic Markers in the valley and the Wikipedia
Article.
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This location has several descriptions in the AGS book:
"At 19.2 m. the road enters the western side of the beautiful
Nacoochee Valley (1,349 alt), a fertile tract lying along the
headwaters of the Chattahoochee and Sautee rivers. according to
legend, the valley was named for Nacoochee (evening star), an
Indian maiden, who came here to meet Laceola, her lover from an
enemy tribe. Learning of the tryst, Nacoochee's father sent a band
of warriors to overtake her. When they discovered the two lovers
together, one of them drew his bow, aiming at Laceola, but
Nacoochee quickly stepped before him and recieved the fatal arrow
in her own heart. Laceola, too, was slain, and the lovers were
buried together in the beautiful valley."
"Right .03 m on this road across the bridge to the Nacoochee Indian
Mound, 100 yards R of the road, on the property (private) of Mrs
L.G. Hardman, widow of a former state Governor. This mound is 190
feet long, 150 feet wide, and 20 feet high. Exploration by the Heye
Foundation in 1915 revealed a dog pot and many pottery vessels that
indicate an advanced cultural development f the builders. According
to tradition, this mound was the center of the ancient Cherokee
town of Guaxule (pronounced Wah-zu-lee), said to have been visited
by De Soto in 1540. In 1838 American gold miners uncovered a
near-by sub-terranean village of more than thirty log houses. the
logs were well preserved and showed evidence of having been notched
by sharp metal tools. It is possible that the village was made by
Spanish gold seekers who penetrated this region after De Soto's
ill-fated expedition."
--Georgia: A Guide to its Cities and Countryside, 1940
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The mound is listed on the NRHP
("http://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WMN0E_Nacoochee_Valley)."
target="_blank">visit link) In my life time a fence has been
placed around the base of the mound--to keep the cattle off. There
are several Georgia Historic Markers dedicated to the history of
this valley:
-Nacoochee Indian Mound *****There is a pulloff at thus
GHM*****
("http://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WM32A_Nacoochee_Indian_Mound_White_County)"
target="_blank">visit link)
-Nacoochee Valley: Valley of the Evening Star
("http://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WM32E_Nacoochee_Valley_Valley_of_the_Evening_Star_White_County)"
target="_blank">visit link)
-The Unicoi Turnpike
("http://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WMMVB_The_Unicoi_Turnpike_White_County)"
target="_blank">visit link)
-Early Trading Post
("http://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WM32F_Early_Trading_Post_White_County)"
target="_blank">visit link)
---Wikipedia (also posted as a waymark)
("http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nacoochee_Mound)"
target="_blank">visit link)