Kasihta (or Cusseta) was a major 16th-19th century Lower Creek Native American town on the Chattahoochee River, located near modern-day Fort Moore (formerly Fort Benning) in Georgia. Mentioned in de Soto’s 1540 expedition, it was a prominent Muskogee (Creek) settlement that relocated to the Ocmulgee River before returning and eventually being removed in 1836.
Key details about Kasihta include:
- Location: Situated on the Chattahoochee River in what is now Chattahoochee County, GA, specifically at the site of the former General’s Headquarters at Fort Benning.
- History: The town was a major, ancient “peace town” of the Lower Creeks. It was burned by the Spanish in 1686.
- Population: Records from 1832-33 indicate a population of 1,918 residents.
- Legacy: Many modern Oklahoma Creeks trace their ancestry to the Kasihta people.
- Modern Reference: The nearby city of Cusseta, Georgia, shares a name and history with this original settlement.
Native American History of Chattahoochee County, Georgia
The story of Chattahoochee County begins long before its official formation and is deeply rooted in Native American history. This region was once home to the Muscogee (Creek) Nation, whose towns, traditions, and leadership shaped much of the southeastern United States.
One of the most important tribal towns in this area was Kasihta (also spelled Kashita or Cusseta). Historical documentation indicates that Kasihta was located near what is now Fort Benning, along the Chattahoochee River. Over time, the name evolved into Cusseta, which remains the county seat of Chattahoochee County today.
The name Chattahoochee is widely believed to derive from a Creek word commonly translated as “River with the shining rocks.” The river was central to Creek life, serving as a source of transportation, trade, ceremony, and settlement.
Historical records describe Kasihta as a significant political and cultural center. Migration legends of the Kashita people tell of their influence across northern Georgia, western North Carolina, eastern Tennessee, and surrounding regions prior to the forced removals of the 19th century. These stories, along with documented historical markers and archival materials, confirm the deep Indigenous presence in what is now Chattahoochee County.
Understanding the origins of Cusseta and the Kashita people helps us preserve a more complete and respectful account of our county’s history. We encourage continued study and dialogue to honor the Native American legacy embedded in our community.
Research & Reference Sources
AccessGenealogy – Native American History of Chattahoochee County
https://share.google/QRBE8SSud8WCCYA9d
Georgia Historical Society – Kasihta (Cusseta)
https://share.google/GjqWkCoYW8uom5rHh
The Historical Marker Database – Kasihta (Cusseta) Marker
https://share.google/05OXzJxzRPQviSQDE
AccessGenealogy – The Migration Legend of the Kashita People
https://share.google/plme1pk2BR7zv3h66
Wikipedia – Cusseta (tribal town)
https://share.google/bKjxKkJgXYm2T2PgA
University of Florida – Creation Myths and Legends of the Creek Indians
https://share.google/oy1O9C3xLSuQX9Dv2
Wikipedia – Cusseta, Georgia
https://share.google/9AM4daY1mlNov5Xf7