Keithsburg, Georgia facts for kids
Keithsburg is a small, unincorporated community located in Cherokee County, Georgia, United States. About 205 people live here. An "unincorporated community" means it's a place with a shared identity, but it doesn't have its own local government like a city or town.
The Story of Keithsburg
Keithsburg began in the mid-1800s. It grew up along the railroad line, northeast of a larger town called Canton. The community got its name from a local family, the Keiths. They owned a large farm called the Keith Plantation. This was one of the oldest big farms in Cherokee County.
During the Civil War, the Keith family tried to protect their valuable belongings and food from the approaching Union Army. They buried their treasures and hung food high in trees to hide it. However, the soldiers found the food. As a result, they burned the family's house. They also tried to harm the family's leader, but he survived because the rope's knot slipped.
After the war, in 1865, the Keith family rebuilt their home. They used bricks made from clay found near the nearby Etowah River. These bricks were specially dried in a kiln, making them very strong.
What Keithsburg Looks Like Today
Today, the old Keith property is mostly in ruins. A fast-growing vine called kudzu covers what's left of the house and barns. Neither Cherokee County nor the city of Canton has shown interest in preserving this historical site. You can still find traces of old buildings where enslaved people lived on the property. There are also signs of an ancient Native American burial ground.
