Macon in Bibb County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)

Colonial Trading Path

Photographed by David Seibert, November 9, 2011

1. Colonial Trading Path Marker

Inscription. Colonial Trading Path or “Lower Path” joined the heart of the Creek Nation on the Chattahoochee River to the English Trading Post in Ocmulgee Old Fields, now Ocmulgee National Monument. Here the chief towns of the ancient Creek Confederacy stretched fifteen miles on the east side of the Ocmulgee River. This path was originally the old Sand Hill Path, across west Georgia from the Chattahoochee River, across the Flint River, and across the Ocmulgee River, eastward. The Indians followed this path from the west to Ocmulgee Old Fields, following Hydrangea Branch (so called by William Bartram), in this neighborhood using it to come to the Trading Post established by the English, 1686-1700. Benjamin Hawkins established “The Agency” at the Flint River crossing, where he had his home. It was the route to Fort Hawkins in East Macon, erected in 1806. This was long known as the Federal Road, authorized by Thomas Jefferson. Federal Highway 80 is the “Lower Path” from Fort Mitchell on the Chattahoochee. This path is a relic of the 100-year rule of the Georgia area by the Lords Proprietors before Oglethorpe (1629-1729).

Erected 1984 by Georgia Department of Natural Resources. (Marker Number 011-7.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era

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• Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Roads & Vehicles. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #03 Thomas Jefferson, and the Georgia Historical Society series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1806.

Location. Marker has been reported missing. It was located near 32° 48.864′ N, 83° 43.951′ W. Marker was in Macon, Georgia, in Bibb County. It was on College Station Drive 0 miles south of Columbus Road, on the right when traveling south. The marker is at the traffic circle on College Station Drive, just south of the Columbus Road (north) entrance to Macon State College. Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: Macon GA 31206, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker was in Georgia’s Piedmont.

It was also in the American South

and specifically in the Deep South.

Globally, it was in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it found itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this location, measured as the crow flies: William Bartram Trail (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Muscadine Studios (approx. 4.2 miles away); a different marker also named Confederate States Central Laboratory (approx. 4.2 miles away); Villa Albicini (approx. 4.3 miles away); Ballard-Hudson Senior High School

Photographed by David Seibert, November 9, 2011

2. Colonial Trading Path Marker

Looking north, the marker sits on a traffic circle, with Columbus Avenue visible in the background.

(approx. 4.3 miles away); The Candler Building (approx. 4.3 miles away); a different marker also named Ballard-Hudson Senior High School (approx. 4.3 miles away); Wesleyan College Historic District (approx. 4.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Macon.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Confederate States Central Laboratory (was approx. 4.2 miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

More about this marker. A marker of this title and similar text was erected in about 1957 on Montpelier Avenue, then U.S. Highway 80, at Linden Avenue near the Mercer University campus. That marker disappeared, and was replaced by this marker in 1984. The marker vanished again during construction in the area, and in the past few years has been reinstalled here, four miles from its original location.

Photographed by David Seibert, November 9, 2011

3. Colonial Trading Path Marker

Looking south on the campus of Macon State College; the school's athletic fields are in the distance.

Credits. This page was last revised on September 13, 2022. It was originally submitted on November 18, 2011, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. This page has been viewed 1,197 times since then and 20 times this year. Last updated on September 13, 2022, by Dave W of Co, Colorado. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 18, 2011, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.