The Ancient Council Site in Talking Rock

The American Ethnologist James Mooney released his book on Cherokee legends in 1888. Only one sentence refers to a Cherokee council site. It falls under his definition of Talking Rock.

Specifically, he states:

"TALKING ROCK: A creek in upper Georgia flowing northward to join Coosawatee river. The Indian settlements upon it were considered as belonging to Sanderstown, on the lower part of the creek, the townhouse being located about a mile above the present Talking Rock station on the west side of the railroad. The name is a translation of the Cherokee Nûñyû'-gûñwani'skï, "Rock that talks," and refers, according to one informant, to an echo rock somewhere upon the stream below the present railroad station. An old-time trader among the Cherokee in Georgia says that the name was applied to a rock at which the Indians formerly held their councils, but the etymology of the word is against this derivation."

Indians formerly held their councils.......old Indian Trader.

The question becomes one of which Indian Trader. The book was written in 1888. James Simmons was near the end of his days in 1888. His home wasn't located far from Saunderstown/Sanderstown/Blaine.

I doubt Mooney was referring to Col. Haney Nelson, who operated the tavern before Simmons purchased it from him.

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In Charles O. Walker's Cherokee Footprints, he refers to Mooney's descriptions and mentions talking to former Pickens County resident, N.C. Low. Low and Walker visited the former Cherokee site located on LL 28, District 12, Section 2 at the old James Bunch property.

According to Walker, the site was located on the west side of the Wildcat branch where it merges with Talking Rock Creek. When the Bunches settled there the ground was cleared and there was an Indian game field (Anetsa - the Little Brother of War)

Above the game field facing Talking Rock Creek, at the crest of a hill, the Indians dug a large terrace about 12 feet wide which overlooked the two-level playing area. The upper level, about 20 feet below the spectator terrace, was 40 feet wide and 50 yards long before turning down to a lower level which was 50 yards wide and about 100 yards long. The two levels formed a narrow "U". From these "bleachers", the cliffs and waters of Talking Rock Creek could be seen and heard.

Walker speculated the site to be older than the Cherokee settlement.

Walker's drawing of the terraced area above Talking Rock Creek with the ball ground site above, and council site below.

Walker's expanded map area showing the council site (upper left) in relation to Swan Bridge and Hwy 136.

Lidar shot of area showing terraced area with level ball ground area above junction of Talking Rock Creek and Wildcat Branch.

1892 Topographic Map showing convergence of Wildcat Creek with Talking Rock Creek. Note the Atherton Mills on the lower left.

Charles Walker's black and white photo of the council site rock taken slightly to the right of the picture below.

Photo of the council site rock taken in May, 2025.

White Mooney believed the derivation of the Talking Rock name not to have referred to the rock shown, where legend has it Cherokee would give speeches from, regardless there is reference to it, at least via the story of the Indian Trader, who as of yet, remains unknown to me.

Special thanks go to Brian Smith and his interest and research in the Old Warlick Mill Site. Located nearby.

A section of the B.F. Warlick Mill Site.