Nacoochee Indian Mound

Mounds
and
legends.
This archaeological site is frequently known as the Romeo and Juliet Tragedy Site because legend has it that two lovers from the Chickasaw and Cherokee tribes fell in love and because the tribes weren’t exactly friendly, ended up committing suicide off the mound. The legend is suspect at best and the mound appears to have been built long before the Cherokee appeared in the region.
The earliest evidence of inhabitants probably go all the way back to about 100 CE and since at least 75 graves were discovered during an excavation in 1915 it seems very logical that it was originally built as a burial mound and then used for other purposes during the following centuries.
The mound had a rather odd gazebo thing added in the 19^th century that looks a bit out of place and is located on private land so you can’t really get close. It is a cool part of the history of the region but certainly not a place to spend a lot of time at or go out of your way to see.

Also known as the ‘Romeo and Juliet Indian Mound Tragedy Site’ because urban legend has it that Indian lovers from opposing tribes are buried here. Sauté, a Chickasaw warrior and Nacoochee, daughter of a Cherokee chief are said to have fallen madly in love. The Chief ordered the death of the young warrior by throwing him off a nearby mountain as his daughter watched. But in a dramatic twist of fate, she leapt off the mountain after him to join him in death. Well, the Chief suddenly realized the error of his thinking and was so struck with grief that he created this mound as their grave and as a testament to the greatness of their love!
The true reality is the Nacoochee Mound was a burial site probably dating back long before the Cherokee Tribe inhabited the area. Excavation of the site in 1915 revealed approximately 75 burials. However, the Cherokee Tribe over the decades did use the mound for ceremonial rituals and the surrounding flatlands were excavated and believed to be village dwellings. According to one report, 56 of the recovered skeletons were adults, 7 were adolescents, 4 were young children, and 8 were unidentifiable in age. The orientation of their bodies in the mound site seemed to mimic compass directions and one was even buried in a sitting position. They were also layered inside the mound, suggesting they were buried this way over time. [references: New Georgia Encyclopedia]
The location itself was ideal considering it is on the banks of the Chattahoochee River, which flows through Atlanta some 80 miles away and continues south all the way to Lake Seminole on the Georgia/​Florida border near Tallahassee. This probably gave them excellent access to ancient Indian trails that were laced all throughout Georgia long before there were roads.
The Historic Marker near the site reads:
«Nacoochee Indian Mound was the center of the ancient Cherokee town of Gauxule, visited by DeSoto in 1540 in his search for gold, according to legend. On this ceremonial mound, 190 feet long, 150 feet wide and 20 feet high, stood the town House where a sacred fire burned unceasingly. Ceremonial dances were performed in and around the Town House. Residents of the town lived on the flat land surrounding the mound. The findings of Heye Foundation archaeologists who explored the mound in 1915 indicate the advanced cultural development of the builders.»
FINAL THOUGHTS
Unless you have ties in your heritage to the Cherokee Indian tribe or have a fascination for their ancient culture, it is unlikely you would find any reason to get out of your car to pay this site a visit. Particularly because you can’t access the site due to a wire fence with a sign stating «Private Lands — Not open for public use». However, I have driven by this mound many times and wondered what it was, so I thought I’d write a review for others whom may be wondering as well when visiting Helen, GA. Oh, and from what I have gathered through research, the structure on top of the mound is a representation of the Cherokee Indian «Townhouse», which was part of every Cherokee village. Townhouses were used for ceremonial dancing, holding council, and later as courts.