McDonald Farm is a significant resource for Hamilton County, as I had mentioned, the property houses a vast 2,000-year history, dating back to the Mid-Woodland period. It was during this period that the valley was filled with life, a community not to be forgotten in time. This continues throughout the centuries, until the land was purchased by the U.S. Government and settled by the McDonalds and their allied families, the founding families of modern-day Hamilton County, Tennessee.
There are topographical and hand drawn maps that highlight multiple archeological sites across the 2,100 acres, both in Hamilton and Rhea Counties. There's even a proposed route of the Trail of Tears from 1992 that cuts the property in half before continuing through Graysville and meeting up with other significant locations along the Trail of Tears.
The truth of the matter is that the McDonald Farm is potentially the second largest archeological site within Hamilton County, following closely behind Moccasin Bend. We must do what we can now to prevent another "Save the Bend" situation from arising. McDonald Farm represents a little bit of everybody's heritage, and with what little has been left for the Native American community, it is important for a line to be drawn. A property as rare as this will never come back around. It's crucial that we seize the opportunity while we have it.
Let's protect Hamilton County's 12,000-year legacy by drawing the line at the McDonald Farm, allowing the public to see what our ancestors did thousands of years ago when they decided to call this valley their home.
This land would best be utilized for recreational purposes, while staying true to its legacy and preserving its historical designations for the coming generations. I understand more studies need to be conducted; however, some documentation has already taken place.
I would like to request that the Hamilton County Commissioners obtain the 1988 TDOT Archeological study that will concur with my previous statemnents. Having two major archeological sites within the county would do wonders for our tourisnm industry.
Tammera D Hicks, CEO
Native American Services of TN
I can corroborate with everything she mentioned. This region of the state saw tremendous highs and lows in the lives of the Woodland period Natives that started to become more conplex. It was an era that gave birth to culture.
You see, the McDonald Farm is an expansive property with three (3) separate creeks that make their way to the Tennessee River. This would make it a prime location for settlement. One that would be used by many diverse cultures throughout the last two millennia, ranging from the Koasati to the Cherokee.
The 1988 study of the McDonald Farm provides a very strong foundation for future endeavors. As a matter of fact, in 1937, an excavation of a prehistoric settlement at the mouth of Sale Creek (less than five miles from the McDonald Farm) took place. These results were published in 1995 by Lynn Sullivan, who commented the following, "The Sale Creek records were among the most frustrating because the site was obviously large and complex, but the excavations were rather limited and hurried.".
So, yes, the McDonald Farm, standing at 2,100 acres, could be the largest archeological site in Hamilton County, only second to Moccasin Bend, being the largest current archeological site and should be treated as such.
Mason Montague Eslinger
McDonald Farm Citizens Advisory Committee
McDonald Farm Historian