The State Capitol

GEORGIA HAD THREE GOVERNORS AT THE SAME TIME map

From Georgia Capital

Amid a few photos of the Capitol Building and some of the very interesting statuary on the premises, I thought I might relate an interesting story about the time, Atlanta had three governors. Part of the purpose of setting up this blog is to try to give a little insight into the history of the area. Not all the details, but enough to, hopefully, get a person interested.



I could tell you that the dome of the Capitol is gilded with Dahlonega Gold, or that the building was built in the 1880's, or that tours of the capital are available Monday through Friday at 10am, 11am, 1pm and 2pm (Open generally to the public 830am-500pm).



The story of the three governors is far more interesting. I'm not going to tell you everything, but the strange scenario happened because the Governor-elect, Eugene Talmadge, died somewhere between winning the election and actually taking office. The state legislature reasoned that should the death occur they would get to choose the new governor out of the second and third place candidates. They even ran a secret write in candidate, Eugene Talmadge's son, Herman. The State Constitution had been recently amended to create the position of Lt. Governor. Melvin Thompson, who was no friend of the Talmadges, won that post and had a claim.



Amidst all the bickering amongst these two factions, the outgoing Governor Ellis Arnall decided to stick around. As things progressed, the locks on the State Capitol were changed by the Talmadges, Arnall set up his offices in one of the Information Kiosks, while Thompson took it to court.



I won't tell you how it ended. It might have been peaceful or might have been bloodshed. The idea was to get you interested to find out more. It really happened back in 1946-47.

Cricket in Georgia

AM I MY WICKETS KEEPER? ..map

From CRICKET

As I am always on the search for new and interesting things to do or see, I was invited by a Bajan (from Barbados) friend of mine to view an Invitational Cricket tournament held right in the Atlanta Area in Burdett Park in historic College Park, Georgia.



It would be extremely tough for me to explain how Cricket is actually played, as my understanding is pretty rudimentary. It is one of the forerunners of my favorite sport, baseball. And it is immensely popular in many countries, chiefly those which used to be British Commonwealth countries. Most of the folks at this event were West Indian in descent.



This Invitational is an adjunct of the Georgia Supreme Cricket League, a league that plays here in Georgia at four separate parks every Sunday. There website was having some problems but can be accessed at www.gascl.com (if not try this one). I was assured that every weekend has music and a festival like atmosphere. For a modest price, I was able to get some nice and spicy jerk chicken, with rice and peas (as they say) and wash it down with a Red Stripe on the QT. I had a very nice time, if you like Cricket, or West Indian food and Culture, or just are looking for a nice way to pass the day at the park, you could watch the Cricketeers at no charge.

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To see how popular the sport truly is or to learn more about the sport worldwide, goto www.cricinfo.com

New Echota, Cherokee Nation

THE HEIGHT OF INDIAN CIVILIZATION...map

From New Echota

A town settled in what is now NW Georgia by the Cherokee is 1823. It was named in honor of the Ancient Cherokee City of Chota in Eastern Tennessee. In 1825, it became the capital of the Cherokee Nation.


On this site, many occurrences of historical significance occurred:


There was the creation of the First Indian written language, constructed by Sequoyah, which led to the Publishing of the First Indian Newspaper, The Cherokee Phoenix.


Missionary Samuel Worcester lived in the Capital, who was the plaintiff in the Supreme Court Case, Worcester v. Georgia. The Court ruled that States could not infringe on
Treaties signed by the Federal Goverment. This was the case that supposedly caused President Andrew Jackson to say "Judge Marshall has made his decision, let him enforce it."


The Signing of the Treaty of New Echota, in which the Cherokee ceded lands to Georgia in exchange for money and lands in what is now Oklahoma. The treaty was signed in the Elias Boudinot House, and was the legislation which brought about the Trail of Tears.





You can tour the grounds for a small charge of $4.00 a person, parking is free. Included is a nice 1 to 2 mile hike (if you include the Seqouyah Nature Trail). You can visit recreations of the Cherokee Supreme Court and The Cherokee Council, and Cherokee Phoenix Print Shop. There is also an authentic, but not native to New Echota, typical Cherokee Homestead (two separate versions) and the Cheif Vann Tavern (which was moved here from Gainesville, GA, saved from the Lake Lanier Development). The only original house in place is the Samuel Worcester Home, which served at the time as post office, and school run by the missionary. The site of the Boudinot house is clearly marked but no structure is there in place. Additionally, along the nature trail is an active Beaver Dam, a swamp at one of the highest elevations I've heard of (600 feet above sea level), and some nice views of Town Creek.




It is located a little over an hour north of Atlanta on 75 at exit 225. It should take about two hours to see everything, and you could shave off 45 minutes if you skip the nature trail.



Other nearby attractions: Turn left out of the parking lot and travel twenty five miles to reach Chief Vann's Mansion, the only antebellum mansion built by an Indian. About thirty minutes south on 75, you can visit the Etowah Mounds and learn about Indian Cultures predating these Cherokee's by 800+ years.