Click on images to enlarge

History

A brief Historical look at Oostanaula Creek

The distinctive historic and cultural assests that attract residents, visitors, and businesses to the region are important for continued livability and economic success. It is therefore important to highlight a few of these historic and cultural assests of Oostanaula Creek watershed.

In 1817 the U. S. Federal Government bought from the Cherokee Indians all the land between Hiwassee, Little Tennessee and Big Tennessee Rivers lying west of Starr Mountain and the foothills of the Smokies. The land was covered by dense forests and fertile lands.This purchase was called the Hiwassee Purchase, and McMinn County was organized shortly thereafter. The dairy producing Mayfield Family settled in the area about this time.

John Ross was Cherokee Chief during this time and lived in the vicinity of Chattanooga. Chattanooga was first called Ross' Landing, and the present town of Rossville was named for him. The Old Ross Home at Rossville it still standing. (Can be toured.)

In the southern section of the watershed lies an old wool mill built near 1850, which is still standing (about 100 feet from the bank of the creek). The Bowater PaperMill and Mansion are also along Oostanaula Creek near Calhoun, but that's newer history. Sir Eric Bowater built the homestead when the Bowater Paper Mill was constructed in Calhoun, TN. Bowater's Calhoun Operation, established in 1954, is now one of the largest newsprint mills in North America - and the second largest employer in McMinn County.

This local industry diversification is leading to declining agricultural profits and increasing development pressure. Economic and development pressures continue to contribute to the loss of farmland in the area, while concurrently raising the value of farmland. The average market value of an acre of farmland in southeast Tennessee was$2,405 in 2002 - some of the most expensive in the country.

Good design and planning can be used to protect and promote these natural and agricultural areas as the community continues to grow. Conservation development methods and historic preservation can be adopted in cultural and historic areas throughout the watershed so their significance can be preserved and enjoyed for the future.