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.