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Tanasi Monument

A group of monuments to the Cherokee origins of Tennessee.

Vonore, Tennessee

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James W Smith
Cherokee Clan Monument Circle on banks of Tennessee River   chivalryiiv / Atlas Obscura User
Monument in honor of Tribe & State   chivalryiiv / Atlas Obscura User
Oconastota Cherokee Warrior   chivalryiiv / Atlas Obscura User
Path from roundabout to Cherokee Monument Circle   chivalryiiv / Atlas Obscura User
Clan Monument   chivalryiiv / Atlas Obscura User
Clan Monument   chivalryiiv / Atlas Obscura User
Clan Monument   chivalryiiv / Atlas Obscura User
Original Spelling of Tennessee   chivalryiiv / Atlas Obscura User
English Spelling of State   chivalryiiv / Atlas Obscura User
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Along the banks of the Tennessee River, now gorged with water from its humble beginnings due to a modern dam, this monument acknowledges the first Cherokee “Emperor” and the now-submerged settlement of  Tanasi, whose name inspired the name of Tennessee.

This monument retells of the nearly forgotten grandeur of a great nation, the Cherokee. And just down this same road one will come to a roundabout. Parking there and walking about 150 yards down the path, you will come to a clearing. Here you will find the names of all the great tribes and the resting place of their great leader Oconastota.

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Know Before You Go

The road is hard packed gravel. I rode my 21 Indian Challenger down with out an issue.

 Tanasi Monument is on this gravel road to your left as you go in.

 Further down is the round-about with approximately a 150 yard walk to get to the circle of Cherokee Clan monuments and the Oconastota marker.

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Published

July 29, 2025

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