Indian Heritage Center
Metal panels list the names of
Creeks as recorded shortly
before the Creek Trail of
Tears.
Metal panels list the names of
Creeks as recorded shortly
before the Creek Trail of
Tears.
The Creek Trail of Tears
The beautiful memorial
stands where thousands of
Creeks camped before being
sent on the Trail of Tears.
The beautiful memorial
stands where thousands of
Creeks camped before being
sent on the Trail of Tears.
Chattahoochee Indian Heritage Center - Fort Mitchell, Alabama
ExploreSouthernHistory.com - Chattahoochee Indian Heritage Center, Alabama
ExploreSouthernHistory.com - Chattahoochee Indian Heritage Center, Alabama
| Chattahoochee Indian Heritage Center The focal point of the park is a reconstruction of the 1813 version of Fort Mitchell, a post established by Georgia troops during the Creek War of 1813-1814. |
The Creek Trail of Tears
The Chattahoochee Indian Heritage Center
stands atop a high hill in Russell County,
Alabama, on land that was the treasured
homeland of the Creek Nation.
For centuries, the powerful Creek Nation
flourished in much of what is now the states
of Alabama and Georgia. Although they are
often now called Muskogees, the Creeks
were actually a confederacy of numerous
bands. While the Muskogees were one of the
largest bands, there were also Hitchitis,
Yuchis, Alibamos (Alabamas), Chatots,
Eufaulas, Tallassees and others. These
groups spoke various languages, the
primary of which were Muskogee and Hitchiti,
languages that were similar but not mutually
intelligible. The Yuchi, Alibamos and others
also had their own tongues.
For centuries the Creeks successfully main-
tained their cultural and territorial integrity in
the face of advancing English, Spanish and
French settlements. During the 18th century,
their charismatic leader Alexander McGillivray
took them to war against the United States
and forced President George Washington to
sure for peace.
Two later wars, however, forever broke the
power of the Creek Nation. The Creek War of
1813-1814 resulted in the loss of much of
their territory and the Creek War of 1836
completed the collapse of the nation in the
face of white aggression. Beginning in 1836,
the entire nation was forced west at bayonet
point on the Trail of Tears. Thousands of
men, women and children died on the way.
This tragic removal is memorialized today at
the Chattahoochee Indian Heritage Center.
Located adjacent to Fort Mitchell, a key post
in both Creek wars, the center occupies land
where thousands of Creeks camped and
burned their last fires before starting west on
the Trail of Tears.
The center features interpretive signs and a
beautiful monument designed to symbolize
the sacred fire of the Creek Nation, which
here last burned on original Creek lands.
stands atop a high hill in Russell County,
Alabama, on land that was the treasured
homeland of the Creek Nation.
For centuries, the powerful Creek Nation
flourished in much of what is now the states
of Alabama and Georgia. Although they are
often now called Muskogees, the Creeks
were actually a confederacy of numerous
bands. While the Muskogees were one of the
largest bands, there were also Hitchitis,
Yuchis, Alibamos (Alabamas), Chatots,
Eufaulas, Tallassees and others. These
groups spoke various languages, the
primary of which were Muskogee and Hitchiti,
languages that were similar but not mutually
intelligible. The Yuchi, Alibamos and others
also had their own tongues.
For centuries the Creeks successfully main-
tained their cultural and territorial integrity in
the face of advancing English, Spanish and
French settlements. During the 18th century,
their charismatic leader Alexander McGillivray
took them to war against the United States
and forced President George Washington to
sure for peace.
Two later wars, however, forever broke the
power of the Creek Nation. The Creek War of
1813-1814 resulted in the loss of much of
their territory and the Creek War of 1836
completed the collapse of the nation in the
face of white aggression. Beginning in 1836,
the entire nation was forced west at bayonet
point on the Trail of Tears. Thousands of
men, women and children died on the way.
This tragic removal is memorialized today at
the Chattahoochee Indian Heritage Center.
Located adjacent to Fort Mitchell, a key post
in both Creek wars, the center occupies land
where thousands of Creeks camped and
burned their last fires before starting west on
the Trail of Tears.
The center features interpretive signs and a
beautiful monument designed to symbolize
the sacred fire of the Creek Nation, which
here last burned on original Creek lands.
 | |  | |  | |  | |  |
The Chattahoochee Indian Heritage Center
is located adjacent to Fort Mitchell Historic
Site on Highway 165 about 10 miles south of
Phenix City, Alabama. Enter through the main
entrance of the historic site.
is located adjacent to Fort Mitchell Historic
Site on Highway 165 about 10 miles south of
Phenix City, Alabama. Enter through the main
entrance of the historic site.
Ceremonial Flame
The memorial takes the form
of a ceremonial flame that
recalls Creek Councils.
The memorial takes the form
of a ceremonial flame that
recalls Creek Councils.
Fort Mitchell
The Chattahoochee Indian
Heritage Center is adjacent to
Fort Mitchell Historic Site.
The Chattahoochee Indian
Heritage Center is adjacent to
Fort Mitchell Historic Site.
Fort Mitchell Historic Site
Creek War of 1813-1814
Creek War of 1836
Creek Trail of Tears
Historic Sites in Alabama
Explore other Southern Historic Sites
Creek War of 1813-1814
Creek War of 1836
Creek Trail of Tears
Historic Sites in Alabama
Explore other Southern Historic Sites
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| Copyright 2011 by Dale Cox All rights reserved. |