Isunigu facts for kids

Isunigu (also known as Seneca) was an important town of the Cherokee people. It was located on the west side of the Keowee River in what is now Oconee County, South Carolina. Today, the towns of Clemson and Seneca, South Carolina are found nearby.

What Was Isunigu?

Isunigu was a significant settlement for the Cherokee. It was one of several towns along the Keowee River. These towns were part of a larger group called the "Lower Towns."

The Cherokee Lower Towns

During the time when European colonists were settling in America, English traders and settlers called Isunigu one of the Cherokee "Lower Towns." This group included towns in southwestern South Carolina along the Keowee River. It also included towns along the Tugaloo River in northeastern Georgia. The main town of this group was Keowee, which was also on the Keowee River.

Land Agreements and Treaties

In the late 1700s and early 1800s, the Cherokee people made agreements to give up their land in the Lower Towns. This land was given to the state of South Carolina.

After the American Revolution, there was fighting between the Cherokee and European Americans. A very important agreement was signed near Isunigu. This was the 1785 Treaty of Hopewell. It was signed by both the Cherokee and the United States. This treaty happened at a plantation called "Hopewell," owned by Andrew Pickens.

Isunigu Today

The area where Isunigu once stood has a very long history. People likely lived there for more than a thousand years. However, the site of Isunigu is now underwater.

In the 20th century, a large lake was created called Lake Hartwell. This lake was formed by building the Hartwell Dam on the Keowee River. The creation of Lake Hartwell flooded the ancient town site. Because of this, the original meaning of the name Isunigu is now lost. Many old tools and other items from the past are also hidden beneath the lake's waters.