Carmel Mission, which took its name on January 7, 1824 - previously named Taloney Mission, was a missionary outpost of the Presbyterians established in 1819 in Gilmer County (present-day Pickens County). The property today is located about two miles northwest of Talking Rock, 12 miles south of Ellijay, just north of 136, and south of Talking Rock Creek by a fifth of a mile on private property. (LL83) Carmel was located near Sanderstown (named after John and George Sanders - wealthy Cherokee landowners)
The main building stood until 1919. This was the location of the first school - was started in May, 1820, by Moody Hall, the first church (Presbyterian) was built a little later, and post office in Gilmer County. The Cherokee and African American people attended church services here.
It should be noted that the famed Samuel A. Worchester, was a missionary here in January of 1827.
In 1831, Reverand Isaac Proctor was arrested for not complying with the laws regarding white men in the newly annexed part of Georgia. Worchester, Rev. Butler, and others were rounded up and taken to Camp Gilmer located near Hightower.
Among the buildings were a school, a stable, a milk-house, corn crib, lodging house, smoke house, two small houses for pupils, and a 36-foot-deep well.
Carmel Station as seen on the Cherokee County Map from 1832
In 1838, the Indian Removal Fort Newnan/Fort Talking Rock was built on LL 61, located on John Sanders property. Today the site of the Indian Fort is located immediately east of the Blaine Masonic Lodge on the corner of Antioch Church Road.
The mission was closed in 1839 as a result of the tumultuous Indian Removal.
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