1. What is the Tugaloo Corridor Project?
The Tugaloo Corridor Project is the restoration and preservation of the historic heritage of the Tugaloo River. It is centered around 87/92 acres located on Yonah Dam Road, Toccoa, Georgia. The Stephens County Foundation, Inc promotes the Tugaloo Corridor Project.
The Stephens County Foundation is a 501 (C ) 3, not for profit community foundation, directed by a Board of Trustees whose initial mission is to protect and preserve the historic and natural resources of the Tugaloo Corridor. All the while promoting environmentally responsible use of the vicinity. We believe students and the general public will benefit significantly from the educational and recreational use of this fascinating area. 3. Who are the Trustees of the SCF? The current Board of Trustees is a local group of civic-minded volunteers committed to protecting the beauty of the area. The current members are as follows:
4. How did the Stephens County Foundation, Inc get involved? With the help of community minded citizens of Stephens County and surrounding areas, the Foundation was privileged to purchase the former Hayes property, which was the site of the Estatoe Indian Village. The Foundation was interested in preserving and protecting the heritage of the area. 5. What amenities are planned for this project? During various stages of completion, the Tugaloo Corridor Project will include several amenities. There are currently marked biking trails throughout Stephens County, Georgia and Oconee County, South Carolina. There will be a Stephens County extension of the Panther Creek Hiking Trail from its current end to our site on Yonah Dam Road. Reclamation of the Estatoe Indian Village, which was located on the 92 acres, will be complete with an education center, amphitheatre and marina. And the most popular venue will be the reconstruction of the old Prather Covered Bridge across the Tugaloo River. . How do we really know this is the site of the Estatoe Indian Village? Period maps identified the general location of Estatoe. Clemens de Bailleau, chief archaeologist of the excavation, states in his written report that it is the "presumptive" site of Estatoe. This means we presume it to be so and all indications point to that assumption. Dr. Mark Williams of the University of Georgia completed an archaeological testing in 2004. All of the data collected from thirty five test sites was analyzed and plotted. His report indicated artifacts were found in great concentration around the mound area of the property. Of great interest, also, is a light density of pottery over almost the entire bottomland of the property.
This would seem to indicate that significant archeological remains might exist anywhere in the bottomland.
Previously there were archaeological digs by the Smithsonian Institute in the '50's and the University of Georgia in the '60's. click for report summary
7. Who inhabited the Estatoe Indian Village? There are strong indications that the site was inhabited by Mississippian Era natives who may have been Muskogean (later called "Creek"). During historical (European) times, the inhabitants were Cherokee. The Cherokee Indians inhabited this and other village sites all along the Tugaloo River. They were a great agricultural society with the Estatoe Indian Village being an important trading village on the corridor. The corridor, known as the Unicoi Turnpike, crossed North Georgia and traversed on into Tennessee. Another major trading village was Tugaloo Town, which is now submerged under Lake Hartwell. It was the Eastern most end of the Unicoi Turnpike and is located near the railroad bridge on the lake. Estatoe is currently one of the last remaining sites available for preservation. 8. How can I help this Tugaloo Corridor Dream become a reality? Complete a membership application available online HERE or by contacting the Stephens County Chamber of Commerce or Stephens Federal Bank. If participating in any of the committees is of interest to you, please come join the fun! We have lots to do and a gracious plenty of tasks to complete!!
Our dream will be a reality before you know it!!
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