Trip to Chief Joe Vann's House

I enjoy writing about the locations I visit. In this case, I started the story before visiting the place. Beyond the Waterfall is based on an old family legend about a grandmother on my mother's side of the family who was part Cherokee. She was blindfolded and taken to a location where the Cherokees hid precious metals in an underwater cave. Of course, I've taken some creative license with the story and integrated the historical records of the famous "Rich Joe" Vann and a legend of Cherokee gold hidden behind a waterfall in Northwest Georgia. 

As part of my research on the story, my husband, our son Elijah, and I took a day trip to Spring Place (near Chatsworth Georgia) where Joe Vann's mansion still stands. The pictures below are those we took from our trip (January 27, 2005). To learn more about Joe Vann and his mansion, click here. To read a chapter from "Beyond the Waterfall" click here.

 
Typical Cherokee dress and lifestyle in the early-to-mid 1830's


Figures of Joe Vann and his wife


The Vann Mansion built in 1804 by Chief James Vann and inherited by his son Joseph upon his death. Joe Vann was driven out of the home in 1835.


Dining room of the Vann Mansion


Dining room of the Vann Mansion


Basement of the Vann Mansion


My son Elijah in the basement of the Vann Mansion


Floating staircase (cantilever staircase) an architectural wonder of the Vann Mansion


Drawing room of the Vann Mansion


Drawing room of the Vann Mansion


James Vann loved the outdoors and carried the earth tones 
throughout the house. This is the fireplace in the Dining Room.


Burns left indentations in the wood of the staircase landing going up to the second floor where the State military tossed a burning log to smoke the family out of the house - demanding that they leave. Vann was given time to evacuate the premises and took all of his property with him. The furnishings in the home now are not original, but are original from the period.


Guest room in the Vann mansion where Sequoia and 
President Monroe stayed when they came to visit.


Master Bedroom


Children's room in the attic


2nd Children's room in attic


Marnie and Elijah outside Vann House


Marnie and Elijah outside Vann House 

Click here to read an except from "Beyond the Waterfall"
Based on the Cherokee experience in Northwest Georgia in
the days of Joe Vann's removal.

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