NORTH GEORGIA MOUNTAINS & BIG CANOE REAL ESTATE History of Big Canoe More: Practical Information Property Owners Association About Big Canoe The first known inhabitants of this area were the Paleo Indians who lived here some 4,000 years ago. They left behind a curious set of rock mounds which can still be seen in a 50-acre area of Big Canoe called Indian Rocks Park, near Lake Petit. The Cherokee Indians occupied the area until relocated to Oklahoma in the 1830s - about the time of America's first gold rush in nearby Dahlonega. Rich deposits of marble were discovered in the area during the 1800s and local marble was in fact used to build the Lincoln Memorial. This valuable stone is still mined in nearby Marble Hill and Tate. Colonel Sam Tate purchased the land that is now Big Canoe in the late 1800s. Known as "The Marble King", Tate supported a community effort to build schools and other improvements in the North Georgia Mountains. The Wolfscratch School operated in the building now housing Big Canoe's tennis pro shop, and the two large chimneys located in the village are remnants of a house built in 1913 for the school's teachers. In 1972, Tom Cousins of Cousins Properties in Atlanta and the Sea Pines Corporation of Hilton Head began joint development of the Big Canoe that exists today. The name Big Canoe was chosen as a way of celebrating the area's rich Indian heritage. In 1987, the Byrne Corporation assumed responsibility for the development of Big Canoe, and the expansion of Tom Cousin's original vision. In 1997, Greenwood Development (Hilton Head) partnered with the Byrne Corporation to ensure that Big Canoe would continue as one of the Southeast's premier mountain communities. Big Canoe Properties | North Georgia Properties | Big Canoe | References | Area Map | Site Map | Home © 2002-2006 All Rights Reserved Linda Travis & Associates, Realtors, Inc. Serving Big Canoe & the North Georgia Mountains Member First Multiple Listing Service (FMLS) Member Northeast Georgia Multiple Listing Service Donald M. Travis, Managing Broker 8141 Wild Cherry Lane 10460 Big Canoe • Big Canoe, GA 30143 Phone: (706) 268-3011 Fax: (706) 268-3079 E-mail: sales@dltravis.com   Big Canoe and the Big Canoe logo are registered trademarks of Big Canoe, LLC. Linda Travis & Associates, Linda Travis and Don Travis are not connected with Big Canoe, LLC and do not represent themselves as the developer in any way.