View & Vote on Sites

There were only 15 Removal fort and camp sites in Georgia, and this one is one of the best-documented and most well-preserved.

We do not know exactly where the site was. If we can, we need to identify it so that we will never forget the injustices of the "Trail Where We Cried".

The rich Cherokee heritage of this community, the good, the bad, and the ugly, is fast disappearing and needs to be preserved for future generations. The story of what happened here must not be forgotten.

Historical site could be developed as potential income producing visitors site.

Our remaining Native American historical sites should be preserved, as most have fallen to development. This site was a part of a very significant and tragic event in American history. It might someday serve as an interpretive site on the Trail of Tears National Historic Trail.

ANY and ALL Native American sites must be identified and placed on county and state maps if possible, complete with GPS readings.

Don't let the US Govt hide more evidence of racial cleansing. Keep the general public in the Loop of the hidden truth of Native American history!

I thought that it had some importance and could use further study and research.

Although there are no visible traces of Ft. Buffington left, it is crucial to prevent development of the site so that archeological evidence may be found, and this important piece of our history can be preserved.

Any site pertaining to such a significant historical event should certainly be preserved. This
should be of the highest priority.

I agree that further research is needed and the site should be saved from development.

I AM A MEMBER OF THE TRAIL OF TEARS ASSOC, AND WE WORK TO PRESERVE ALL CHEROKEE STRUCTURES, EMCAMPMENTS, FORTS, AND CHEROKEE HISTORY.

This site is a critical part of Cherokee County history as well as our national history. I'm shocked that anyone would consider destroying it.

Indian Removal is one of the darkest periods in American and Georgia history, yet most people know very little about it. The associated sites should be preserved in order to educate the public.

It is important to our Cherokee heritage and history because of its relationship with the Trail of Tears.

This site should be preserved as part of the Trail of Tears. It was a tragic chapter in our country's history and should be remembered so future generations won't commit similar atrocities. So much of the Cherokee presence in Georgia has been eradicated by development- what's left should be preserved.

Collection point of the Trail of Tears Removal

I think any Native American site should be saved, its still part of history

I lived in Cherokee County at one time, and this site always intrigued me. It has historical value far beyond it's possible commercial value.

Re: Comment by Tony B at 11:47 PM on 09/03/2009:
We must remember.

important era of Georgia's history that needs to be preserved even if it does not appear to be significate to the naked eye.

its association with the Trail of Tears

It is so vital to the history of, not only Cherokee County, but the story of the Cherokee Removal as well. My ggggrandfather, John Latty, served at this place in 1837-8.

Thank you.

Because of the historical importance of the site.

All sites like this should be preserved.

Fort Buffington has an important place in history. We should learn from the story. I live in this neighborhood. I tell my Grandchildren the story in hopes it will never happen again.

Sites pertaining to this period of our history must be preserved. If we do not know our history we will repeat our mistakes.

The forced removal of the Cherokee nation from Georgia is an almost-forgotten part of our state's history. In this site we have a rare opportunity to identify and mark a site that changed the course of events in the state and nation.

I grew up around Ft. Buffington. It's one of the most historically important sites in Cherokee County as well as one of the least preserved. Something needs to be done to preserve and mark Ft. Buffington and it needs to be done quickly before developers get a hold of the area.

This is the community that I was raised in. My mother, her children and Grandchildren attended Buffington School.

Historically important area related to Cherokee Indians and Cherokee County.

We must preserve anything we can to remember the sacrifice made by the Cherokees and honor them as the first citizens of America.

I believe in preservation of historical sites. We should not forget the past and how our Government treated the Native American Indian's, taking their land and breaking every treaty that was signed with the Indian.

Leave some evidence in "Cherokee" county of the stockade that held Cherokees for the removal on the trail of tears....vote to support this site and support the Georgia Trail of Tears Assoc.

I think it is the most important one to save!

Should be preserved to show how native Americans were really treated.

I vote for this one because it is a part of the history of Georgia, how it came to be on the backs of a First Nation of people already living here and thriving.

Very important landmark in history of the community

We need to save this part of our area's history is for no other reason than to let our children see that even our government makes mistakes. Some with sad and bad consequences. The Cherokee Removal in not a pretty story but it is real.

Connection with the trail of tears

We should never forget this tragedy. The native Americans shaped our county in many ways. This piece of history is as important as slavery.

I live in Buffington area. I know that there is a stone marker on Dobson Circle stating that the fort was there. I think that it is important to at least find out where the actual location is and try to preserve it.
I am glad to see the interest in all of these sites. I recently canoed into the iron furnace and have been in the Conn Creek School and have wondered about the history of the shingle house.

Because I am from Buffington and the school is no longer, so this site must be preserved.

don't ease history with touch our grandchildren will not know of the true difficulties of our people if we can't show them a real place to feel the history that was among us.

Re: Comment by Linda C at 01:10 PM on 09/13/2009:
Ther is a large granite rock at Harmony Church on Harmony road which gives this site as the location of the stockade. I don't think you can save it, if you don't know the location. There
are a number of unmarked graves in the cemetery which may be Indian graves.

Save, save, save!

We need a reminder of this tragic portion of Georgia's history so that similar actions aren't repeated.

Native American

Critical to Cherokee removal.

They've taken away our land, homes and way of life don't let them take our history too.

Although this site has not been confirmed as the actual Fort site (yet), Georgia is seriously lacking valuable archaeological information concerning this monumental event in our past.This type of site is truly almost "one of a kind" and for it to be irreversibly damaged means that we have failed all the citizens of Georgia and those who have come before us. To locate and carefully conserve such a site would be rare, indeed. Homes and buildings are cool, but to be able to use this site as an educational tool for our children is a true gem.

I live in Buffington Comunity, I am a % genaration, of the Martin Family from Buffington area, I love and respect the Community of Buffington

Re: Comment by Brian M at 04:21 PM on 09/16/2009:
I am a 5th Generation of the Martin Family and have lot of roots to the Buffington Community, We should preserve History.

Fort Buffington is unique because it tells us of a much-neglected chapter in our national history. Save this site!

Re: Comment by Anonymous at 08:57 AM on 09/02/2009:
I would like to see an arch. dig here. A small museum building with artifacts and instructional signage would be nice. We should remember ALL of our heritage.

It's a part of the areas history that should be perserved. We could make a little bit of history come alive for children and adults when they visit the sight and hear what happened. I don't want these people forgotten.

We've lost far too many of these historic sites in our country.

Indian removal forts are so unique, when one is identified it must be preserved for all to recognize its significance.

we need all of our history for the
young people to learn..

It is important to determine the location of Ft. Buffington. If it is, I agree that a small museum building with artifacts and instructional signage would be nice.

Member of the Trail of Tears,and Great Grandmother was Cherokee.

As a member of the Trail of Tears Assoc., I have researched the removal sites of Cherokees, and I believe this site is of far more historical significance than any of the buildings nominated.

The Bufferington Fort Site played an important role in a local,state, and national history of the 1830's. This site for the gathering and holding place for Cherokee Indians before they were tranported to Alabama or Tennessee for their long trip out to Indian Territory west of the Mississippi.

Member GA Chapter Trail of Tears

So many states value their Native peoples and Georgia has never embraced the contributions the Native peoples have given the European settlers of the state of Georgia. It is important to teach and understand the ramifications of a Native American Holocaust right here in our own backyard.

Safeguarding Georgia sites of significance in Cherokee history has always been a difficult task. Preserving our history is vitally important to us all and to generations to come. Sadly, this has become much more difficult due to budget cuts but it is no less important.

I think the site should be investigated further before development possibly destroys a valuable archeological source.

very important historical site, unique

I am part Cherokee so this means a lot to me...as long as some archeological work can be done to determine the exact location.

This part of history is not one I am proud of but it did happen and should be preserved. A dig is needed to prove this is the fort and it should be protected if proven.

I would like to see this further studied to document the history of the indians/Trail of Tears.

Let's investigate Ft. Buffington!

We need a reminder of what we are capable of doing in the name of progress. I grew up and attended school in Canton, and cannot recall any mention of the Cherokee Removal. What a terrible stain on our history.

Keep the history of the Cherokee people (good and bad) alive for future generations.

Preserve it! Please!

Very Sentimental reasons, Part Cherokee & Proud to say so

This must be preserved. Forgotten history will always be repeated. We can not allow that to happen again.

It is of special interest to me and to all who appreciate such a turbulent time in our history.

Ft Buffington is part of the history of Native Indians and early settlers and the US government all at one site. Initial preservation of a site like this cost effective since only the land is involved. Archaeology study and digs can be conducted by universities and various historical associations at no cost to Cherokee Historical.

We are losing Native American sites every day. In terms of Native site protection Georgia has one of the worst records in the country. We are grateful for every opportunity to participate in the preservation of Native sites and hope that many will join in the initiative to honor this endangered part of our history.

It's "ancient" age. I grew up hearing about it because Buffington is in my family by marriage.

This sight is important to save and investigate as being one of only a few in the state that reflects the suffering that was endured by the Cherokee's as they started the infamous "Trail of Tears"

We owe it to ourselves and to our native ancestors to remember.

This site could become a teaching site for all area schools to learn the entire story of the Cherokee removal. Public schools have taught only a narrow version of this historic event. The Cherokee and Creek Indians were not removed due to racism and the removal itself was not genocide. The Cherokee were removed as agreed to in a treaty to swap Georgia land for Oklahoma land. The Cherokees were attacking and murdering innocent settlers out of hatred and anger at settler trespassing on Indian lands. The Indians themselves wanted to move away from contact with settlers. Part of my family was early settlers in Georgia and was wiped out my marauding Indians whose motivation was robbery and murder. These were peaceful Quakers who did not carry guns and they were killed on a public road while traveling to visit family.
After relocating to Oklahoma many of the Cherokees became some of the richest people in America after oil was discovered on their new land just as the American automobile industry was growing to huge proportions.

My children attended Buffington Elementary, I taught 4th grade there, my husband was a Trustee and we both worked for over ten years with the Buffington PTA, so we have a deep connection and devotion to the school. My daughter conducted a seventh grade Social Science Fair project on the location of the fort, and was unable to determine its exact location. This site is the oldest in question in the county, and deserves further historical and anthropological review.

As Vice President of the Georgia Chapter of the Trail of Tears and former resident of Cherokee County, it is important to preserve sites that are integral to the heritage and history of past. You can't know where you are going in the future without knowing where you have been.

We need to preserve as much of our heritage as we can while we can.

Protect them now or regret their loss later!

Ga Trail of Tears Assoc needs the time to research this possible site of Ft Bluffington & preserve it should it be the proper site.

I am a member of the Trial of Tears Organization and supporter of historic preservation. I feel the site should be honored and marked for the significant part it played Georgia and Cherokee history.

Historical preservation.

We need to preserve our Nation's heritage, nationally, and locally. The Indians are the native Americans. Let's make up for our past ill wills.

There were only 15 forts and removal sites, ten were fortified and five were not, This site should be saved as a reminder the state of Georgia was the worst state in the Union to discrimnate against the Native Americans brought on by their greed for land and gold. Too many Native American sites have been destroyed.

We must preserve and teach about such reminders of the inhumanity America demonstrated toward its original Americans.

Where we live many of the historical sites have been built on. We need to preserve as much of our history as possible, not exploit it. It saddens me to see the dissappearances of sites where so many lives were lost.

We need to save this sight for future study and documentation. There is enough property that can be developed without destroying our history.

We must preserve our heritage for future generations.

There are not any significant Cherokee Removal fort sites preserved. Scott

Tell the story!

It is an important historical site.

We have lost way too many sites to development. Our children, and their children, need to know their past.

Respect for memory of Cherokees.

Everyone that visits north ga needs to be reminded of the events that took place here and that ethnic cleansing took place right here in our backyards over 250 years ago.

My gggggrandmother was full blood cherokee. I am a teacher in Henry County. We need to preserve and teach the history of our state. Let's perform an archelogical dig at the site to see if it is indeed the "true" site. We should honor our Native Americans who once called this land "home".

Being myself of Cherokee Ancestry, both Father and Mother's side, I want to preserve anything that is connected to the Native American History of this Area. I do not think there is enough about our Heritage and History taught in our schools. Thanks to all the Folks who work so hard to protect our Heritage.
Thanks, Barbara W.

Fort Buffington is two important to lose. Our children need to not forget.

I voted for this because we never need to forget the unjustice that the Cherokee suffered at the hands of greedy white people.

It's an important historical site and should be preserved.

Important for the Cherokee story!

We owe it to history and the Cherokee Nation.

My father was born not far from the Hwy. 20 site and lived on Union Hill Rd., the crossroads and the Avery and Hickory Flat settlements before the family moved to Cobb and Fulton counties. He always taught me and my brother to honor and respect the Cherokee, unaware during his lifetime that our family's heritage includes blood links with the Cherokee through the Harbin line.

i am a descendant of the 4000 people removed and i have been told storys about the place you speak of although i can offer no proof of what i say i do believe it to be the right location

Because local history and Native American history in Georgia are closely related, important and in jeopardy. Even if we have to allow development to cover important sites they should be adequately studied and documented.

Every historic site should be saved - all these can never be replaced and are so important to our Georgia history.

I do not want our history buried under production of shopping centers, roads, homes.

Re: Comment by Anonymous at 01:06 PM on 09/01/2009:
Save the Fort Buffington Site, there is not much left of the Native Americans except some of the place names.