New Echota, GA - A Virtual Tour
The Worcester House
We are now leaving the Worcester house. Near the Worcester home site is the start of a nature hiking trail which takes you through the woods.
In 1831 Reverend Worcester was arrested and sentenced to prison for his refusal to obtain a permit to reside within the Cherokee Nation. His case went all the way to the United States Supreme Court where he eventually won when the court ruled that the State of Georgia had no jurisdiction over the Cherokee Nation and that their removal was a violation of existing treaties. The legal case of Cherokee vs. State of Georgia resulted in two Supreme Court decisions in 1831 and 1832 which upheld the rights of the Cherokee Nation over the State of Georgia. President Andrew Jackson and Georgia defied the Supreme Court decision, and continued to steal the remaining land of the Cherokee. President Jackson infamously said, "[Supreme Court Chief Justice] John Marshall has made his decision, now let him enforce it!"
The small white sign is entitled The Exodus and reads: "In the years following World War II, thousands of farms were abandoned as rural Georgians moved to towns and cities in search of better paying jobs. In 1949 there were 222,000 farm families in Georgia, but by 1969 there were only 47,000. Walt White and his family moved from the Worcester House in 1952 and the house and land were offered for sale. Realizing the historic value of New Echota, a group of local citizens purchased 200 acres here and donated it to the State of Georgia. We hope you enjoyed your walk on the New Town Creek Trail."