Near Shorterville in Henry County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)

Franklin - First Beachhead into East Alabama

Photographed by Mark Hilton, February 16, 2014

1. Franklin - First Beachhead into East Alabama Marker

Inscription. The frontier village of Franklin was established here by Colonel Robert Irwin in 1814 on the site of the Indian town of Cheeska Talofa. It was the first colonial village in east Alabama. Fort Gaines, Georgia, was constructed in 1816 to protect the early settlers in this former Creek Indian Nation, West. Twenty-one blocks were laid off for this promising river port of Abbeville. This prospective early city never recovered from the destructive flood of 1888.

Erected 1978 by the Historic Chattahoochee Commission and the Henry County Historical Society.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Forts and Castles • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1814.

Location. 31° 36.259′ N, 85° 3.603′ W. Marker is near Shorterville, Alabama, in Henry County. It is on Hartford Road (Alabama Route 10) 0.6 miles east of County Road 46, on the left when traveling east. Located about 1000 ft west of the AL/GA line. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Shorterville AL 36373, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

and in the Wiregrass.

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: Chattahoochee River Crossings (within shouting distance of this marker); Fort Gaines

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

(approx. 0.3 miles away in Georgia); The 1836 Fort (approx. 0.3 miles away in Georgia); The Old Lattice Bridge (approx. 0.3 miles away in Georgia); Old Pioneer Cemetery (approx. half a mile away in Georgia); Site of the First Clay County Courthouse and Jail (approx. 0.6 miles away in Georgia); Fort Gaines Guards (approx. 0.7 miles away in Georgia); Queen City of the Chattahoochee (approx. 0.7 miles away in Georgia).

Other markers no longer nearby. In the Confederacy (was approx. 0.3 miles away in Georgia but has been confirmed missing); Site of Fort Gaines Female College (was approx. 0.4 miles away in Georgia but has been confirmed missing).

Photographed by Mark Hilton, February 16, 2014

2. Marker Area

Credits. This page was last revised on April 14, 2026. It was originally submitted on February 17, 2014, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 1,462 times since then and 55 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 18, 2014, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.