Fort Mitchell in Russell County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)

The Creek Trail of Tears

Photographed by Tim Carr, December 28, 2009

1. The Creek Trail Of Tears Marker

Inscription. Approximately one mile due east of this marker, back down the Old Federal Road, called by frontiersmen and Indians the Three Notched Trail or the Three Chopped Way, stood Fort Mitchell, an early 19th century American fort that in 1836 was one of the principal gathering places for the forced removal of the Creek Indians from their homes on the Chattahoochee River to the West. Weakened by starvation, defrauded of their lands and swindled out of most of their possessions, thousands of Creeks, including some in chains and shackles, made the forced journey from Alabama to what is now Oklahoma, where many of their descendants now live. Alabama, also remains the home of many Creek Indians today.

Erected 1996 by The Alabama Indian Affairs Commission / The Chattahoochee Indian Heritage Association.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • Indigenous Peoples and Communities. In addition, it is included in the Trail of Tears series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1836.

Location. 32° 20.693′ N, 85° 1.3′ W. Marker is in Fort Mitchell, Alabama, in Russell

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County. It can be reached from U.S. 165. The Chattahoochee Indian Heritage Center is adjacent to Fort Mitchell National Historic Landmark Site about 10 miles south of Phenix City, Alabama. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 561 Highway 165, Fort Mitchell AL 36856, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Columbus.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

and in the Black Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

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

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Creeks Today (here, next to this marker); Removal of the Creeks (a few steps from this marker); Creek Towns (within shouting distance of this marker); Cultural Exchange and Cooperation (within shouting distance of this marker); The Creek Nation / The Chattahoochee Indian Heritage Center

Photographed by Tim Carr, December 28, 2009

2. The Creek Trail of Tears Marker

(within shouting distance of this marker); The Census of 1832 (within shouting distance of this marker); Fort Mitchell and Creek Removal (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Indian Ball Ground (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fort Mitchell.

Also see . . .
1. Chattahoochee Indian Heritage Center - Fort Mitchell, Alabama. (Submitted on January 1, 2010, by Timothy Carr of Birmingham, Alabama.)
2. History of the Old Federal Road. (Submitted on January 7, 2010, by Timothy Carr of Birmingham, Alabama.)

Chattahoochee Indian Heritage Center image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tim Carr, December 28, 2009

3. Chattahoochee Indian Heritage Center

Markers are located along the walkway leading up to the Chattahoochee Indian Heritage Center atop of the hill.

Replica of Fort Mitchell on the site of the original 1813 fort. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tim Carr, December 28, 2009

4. Replica of Fort Mitchell on the site of the original 1813 fort.

Fort Mitchell was built next to the Old Federal Road to provide protection for the early travelers from the hostile Indians. The Old Federal Road connected Fort Stoddert north of Mobile, Alabama to the Chattahoochee River about 3/4 of a mile east of Fort Mitchell.

Credits. This page was last revised on July 10, 2018. It was originally submitted on January 1, 2010, by Timothy Carr of Birmingham, Alabama. This page has been viewed 6,316 times since then and 90 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on January 1, 2010, by Timothy Carr of Birmingham, Alabama. 2. submitted on January 7, 2010, by Timothy Carr of Birmingham, Alabama. 3, 4. submitted on January 1, 2010, by Timothy Carr of Birmingham, Alabama. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.