John Ross House (Rossville, Georgia) facts for kids
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John Ross House
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 Location in Georgia (U.S. state)
Location in the United States
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| Location | Lake Ave. and Spring St., Rossville, Georgia |
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| Area | 5 acres (2.0 ha) |
| Built | 1797 |
| Architect | John McDonald |
| Architectural style | Log house |
| NRHP reference No. | 73000647 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | November 7, 1973 |
| Designated NHL | November 7, 1973 |
The John Ross House is a very old and important house in Rossville, Georgia. It was once the home of John Ross, a famous leader of the Cherokee Nation. He lived here from 1830 to 1838. John Ross was a strong leader who tried to stop the Cherokee people from being forced off their lands. This house is now a special place called a National Historic Landmark.
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The John Ross House: A Historic Home
The John Ross House is located in Rossville, Georgia. It is near the town center. This house was not always in this exact spot. It was moved a short distance in the 1960s. This move helped protect it from new buildings.
What Does the House Look Like?
The house is made of logs and has two stories. It has two main log sections. These sections are on either side of an open area on the first floor. This open area is called a breezeway. A low, sloped roof made of wood shingles covers the whole house.
The spaces between the logs are filled with modern cement. The left log section is about 16 feet by 16 feet. It holds one room. The right log section is larger, about 16 feet by 23 feet. It also holds one room. A porch made of logs runs across the front of the house.
Who Was John Ross?
The John Ross House was built in 1797. It was built by John McDonald. He was a Scottish immigrant. He had married a Cherokee woman. At that time, all the land around the house belonged to the Cherokee people.
John McDonald's grandson was John Ross. John Ross became the chief of the Cherokee people in 1828. He led a group that wanted to protect their lands. They also opposed the Cherokee Removal. This was when the government wanted to force the Cherokee people to move.
In 1830, John Ross lost his own home. The state took over his lands. So, he moved into his grandfather's house. He lived there until 1838. John Ross helped create the Cherokee Constitution in 1827. He also tried to use the law to keep the Cherokee lands. Sadly, he was not successful.
Why Is This House Important?
The city of Rossville was named after John Ross in 1905. His house is one of the oldest buildings in the area. It survived the American Civil War. During the war, both sides used the house as a hospital.
In the 1950s, a group called the Chief John Ross House Association was formed. They wanted to save the house. It was getting old and surrounded by new buildings. So, in the 1960s, they moved it to a park-like area. This helped preserve it for future generations. In 1973, the house was named a National Historic Landmark. This means it is a very important historical site in the United States.
