The ruins of the Tellico Blockhouse lie directly across the Little Tennessee River from the site of Fort Loudon. In 1795 the Factory Act was passed, establishing federal stores ("factories") here and at Fort Southwest Point in Kingston to facilitate trade between Cherokees and whites. A series of treaties was signed here, each giving the settlers access to more of the Cherokee land. Finally in 1807 the blockhouse was abandoned and reestablished 50 miles to the south, near the mouth of the Hiwassee River.