Chilhowee (Cherokee town)

Chilhowee was a significant Overhill Cherokee town located in what is now Blount County, Tennessee, along the Little Tennessee River. The name, of Cherokee origin, is thought to mean "deer place" or "hunting ground for deer," reflecting the area's abundance of wildlife.

Historically, Chilhowee played a crucial role in Cherokee political and social life, acting as an important gathering place and center for trade and diplomacy. Its strategic location along the Little Tennessee River made it a vital transportation hub and a site of frequent interaction between the Cherokee and European colonists.

During the late 18th century, Chilhowee was involved in conflicts between the Cherokee and encroaching settlers. It was targeted in several military campaigns, including those led by John Sevier. The town's inhabitants faced increasing pressure from land-hungry settlers and government policies aimed at removing Native Americans from their ancestral lands.

Ultimately, Chilhowee, like other Overhill Cherokee towns, was abandoned following the Treaty of Tellico Blockhouse in 1794, which ceded much of the Cherokee territory in present-day Tennessee to the United States. The town site was later submerged by the creation of Tellico Lake in the 1970s.

Today, the location of Chilhowee is recognized as a significant archaeological site, representing a crucial chapter in the history of the Cherokee Nation and their relationship with early American settlers. While the town itself no longer exists, its name and legacy continue to be remembered and studied as part of the rich cultural heritage of the region.