Happy 35th to us! We still had our "missed trip" tickets for the Blue Ridge Railway which expire at the end of July, so we made reservations at Morganton Point Recreation Area outside of Blue Ridge for a combined camping/train ride adventure.
We weren't able to get a lakeside spot, but the one we had was pretty and secluded.
Bob didn't have to share his roasted marshmallows with anyone else.
But, I decided to make a change of plans and not go on the train ride. I didn't feel right leaving Roscoe behind. He doesn't like being in the camper, and it seemed cruel to leave him alone for the six or so hours we would be gone. Plus, masks were still required on the train, and that didn't appeal to us. So, we took a truck ride into Dalton and surrounding area instead. Here is a view from the overlook at Fort Mountain State Park at an elevation of about 2850 feet.
Somewhere at the top of the mountain is an 855 foot long stone wall believed to have been built by the ancient Indian inhabitants as a fortress. But, we weren't up to taking the trail, so Bob rested on a tree stump at the picnic area instead.
The next day, we drove into Chatsworth, about 60 miles northwest to visit the Chief Vann House, located on what became known as The Trail of Tears.
From 1830- 1850 over 4000 native Indians from civilized Cherokee tribes and their slaves were forced to leave the area and relocate in Oklahoma. More than 1500 died on the trek that wound through nine states and over 5000 miles.
The home was built in 1804 by Chief James Vann who was half Cherokee and half Scottish and considered the wealthiest man of the Cherokee, and possibly of the entire east at the time.
Diamond Hill Mansion was considered the showplace of the Cherokee nation.
A unique feature in the home is the dog leg staircase that suspends over the ground level hallway. It was built deeply enough into the brick walls to counterbalance weight on the stairs and landings.
There are only five rooms in the house: a living room and dining room are on either side of the stairway on the first floor, the master and guest bedroom on the second, and a children's room in the attic. The color scheme in the house is based on the original design.
However, most of the furnishings are replicas of what was believed to be in the home.
Despite the grandeur of the mansion, it is questionable how civilized James was given he was called Crazy James. He had at least two wives, was a heavy drinkers, quick to draw and shoot at anyone who irked him and willing to burn someone alive. He was shot dead in 1809 while on a business trip with one of his slaves and his favorite son, Joseph. Although the shooter was never found, it was rumored it was his sister who feared what his drinking was doing to their family.
Joseph, known as Rich Joe, inherited Diamond Hill. He and his family were forced out in 1835, but Joe was a shrewd businessman. He negotiated a deal to live in Missouri where the land was better than where the Indians were in Oklahoma. He owned several ferries and trading posts along the Conasauga and Chattahoochee rivers. He was killed in 1844 while racing one of his steamboats when it exploded due to his insistence on overloading the boiler so the boat would go faster. Diamond Hill had approximately 17 different owners and was sold in 1952 to the Georgia Historical Society.
