Tugaloo

Tugaloo refers to a historical Native American town located in present-day Stephens County, Georgia, near the Tugaloo River. It was an important settlement of the Cherokee people.

History:

Tugaloo was a significant political and ceremonial center for the Cherokee, serving as a "mother town" or "peace town." These towns held special status and were considered inviolable refuges. Archaeological evidence suggests occupation of the Tugaloo site dating back to the Mississippian period.

The town was visited by several European explorers and traders, including Hernando de Soto (possibly) and later, William Bartram. It played a role in trade relations between the Cherokee and European settlers.

The Tugaloo settlement was ultimately abandoned by the Cherokee in the late 18th century due to pressure from westward expansion of European settlements and conflicts with settlers during the American Revolutionary War.

Significance:

The Tugaloo site is now submerged beneath Lake Hartwell, created by the Hartwell Dam. The Tugaloo Corridor Partnership, a group of organizations in northeast Georgia and upstate South Carolina, works to preserve and promote the historical and cultural resources of the Tugaloo River basin, including the memory of the Tugaloo town.

The name "Tugaloo" is also associated with:

• The Tugaloo River: A river that forms part of the boundary between Georgia and South Carolina.
• Lake Tugaloo: A reservoir on the Tugaloo River.