The Old Federal Road was the first vehicular and postal route linking Georgia and Tennessee across the Cherokee Nation. Informal permission to use the road was granted by the Cherokees in 1803 and confirmed by treaty in 1805. Beginning on the southeast boundary of the Cherokee lands in the direction of Athens, the road passed this way by Tate and Talking Rock. At Ramhurst, another branch ran by Spring Place and Rossville toward Nashville. Near this spot, the noted Cherokee Vann family maintained a stage stop and stand.