New Echota, Cherokee capital historic site in Calhoun, US.
New Echota is a historic site with about twelve buildings from the 1820s, including the council house and the print office of an early newspaper. The structures show how the Cherokee Nation arranged its administrative center, with residential buildings, workspaces, and public areas distributed across the grounds.
The site became the administrative center of the Cherokee Nation from 1825 onward, after the group decided to establish a permanent settlement there. This center lasted only briefly, as the entire nation was forced to leave in the 1830s.
The newspaper office shows how the Cherokee developed their own written language and brought it to print, reflecting a sophisticated approach to communication and record-keeping. Visitors can see where both languages were used side by side in daily work.
The site has a visitor center with exhibits and a short documentary film that provides good background information. The grounds can be explored on foot, with walking paths leading through buildings and natural areas, and guided tours available through the historic structures.
This site is the only known location where the first Native American newspaper on the continent was printed, an important achievement in North American media history. The original print shop remains standing and displays the equipment used to produce it.
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