The Archaic period covers a vast expanse of time (8,250 years).
Many changes occurred during the Archaic period. For
example, the climate and vegetation that Early Archaic people
saw was much different than the climate and vegetation that
Late . . . — — Map (db m160554) HM
In 2007, the City of Oxford began planning what is today known as
Choccolocco Park. Discoveries at the site identified the presence of the
humans inhabiting this land as early as 10,000 years ago. Oxford undertook
an archaeological investigation . . . — — Map (db m144980) HM
Boiling Springs Road once provided a vital transportation link
across Choccolocco Creek for residents of the valley. The road
received its name from the Boiling Spring (pictured below and to
the right) located across the creek at this location. . . . — — Map (db m145023) HM
Choccolocco Park is located on land that was farmed by the Caver,
Christian and Davis families from 1840 until the late twentieth
century. During the Great Depression, the farm was documented
by the Historic American Building Survey. The subjects . . . — — Map (db m145025) HM
When workers began excavating the lake for Choccolocco Park, they
uncovered several large charcoal-filled ditches that formed circles.
Archaeologists investigated these features and determined that these
were the remains of 19th century charcoal . . . — — Map (db m144947) HM
Near Recreation Drive east of Mc Cullars Lane, on the left when traveling east.
was moved on August 17 , 1990 to Oxford Lake
Leon Smith, Mayor
City of Oxford Councilmembers
Johnny Austin Johnny Bentley Bruce Dempsey
Norma Martin Marshall Shaddix
The bridge was donated to the City of Oxford
by the . . . — — Map (db m198533) HM
On Main Street at Mc Kibbon Street, on the right when traveling north on Main Street.
[Top plaque]
This property has been
placed on the
National Register
of Historic Places
by the United States
Department of the Interior
[Bottom plaque]
301 Main Street
has been placed on the
Alabama Register
of . . . — — Map (db m217258) HM
On Main Street south of East Oak Street, on the right when traveling north.
A Memorial to
Gen. Andrew Jackson,
the Tennessee Patriots,
the Alabama Patriots, and
pioneers who by their
courage and fortitude in
1813 - 1814, won five successful
battles in the Creek Indian
Campaign.
Side . . . — — Map (db m106593) HM
Near Recreation Drive east of Mc Cullars Lane, on the right when traveling east.
Seaman Second Class, United States Navy, George Washington Ingram was killed in action in the defense of Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941.
For Seaman Ingram's bravery, an American destroyer was built and named in his honor. The U.S.S. George W. . . . — — Map (db m217252) HM WM
On Main Street at East Oak Street, on the right when traveling north on Main Street.
First incorporated as a town, February 7, 1852, in Benton County, Oxford's second incorporation was approved February 21, 1860 in Calhoun County. Long before this territory was “settled”, it was inhabited by Creek Indians. In the time . . . — — Map (db m106589) HM
Near Recreation Drive east of Mc Cullars Lane, on the right when traveling east.
Great citizen, eminent lawyer, valiant soldier, renowned statesman, diplomat, Christian gentleman. Near this spot, 1862, he mustered into service 51 Ala. Regt. Cavalry, Army Confederate States of America. Ala. U.S. Senator, 1877 until his death. . . . — — Map (db m217250) WM
The Mississippian inhabitants of Choccolocco were skilled
agriculturalists who grew corn, squash and beans in addition to
the many wild plants that they harvested. Archaeologists
working here have found the remains of many of these plants in
the . . . — — Map (db m144950) HM
During the Mississippi period earthen mound construction
resumed at Choccolocco. Mound building was a community
effort and these earthen constructions served as the center of
community life for large towns like the one depicted at right.
This . . . — — Map (db m144936) HM
Welcome! We are the Arbeka (Abihka). This is the ceremonial
ground of our ancestors who once called this valley their home.
When the Arbeka (Abihka) were forced to remove to Oklahoma
they carried the sacred fire from this place to their new home. . . . — — Map (db m144923) HM
The ancestral traditions of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation are still practiced
today. Among these is a game called “Little Brother of War" or "stickball”.
The game is used to settle disagreements, to toughen warriors and
sometimes for . . . — — Map (db m144938) HM
By AD 1730, the English, French and Spanish had all established colonies
in the region. It was also around this time that the people within the
Coosa, Tallapoosa and Chattahoochee Valleys, known to history as the
Arbekas (Abihkas), Tallapoosas, . . . — — Map (db m145022) HM
The people living during the Paleoindian period experienced a
world very different from that we know today. These people
lived during the last ice age when large mammals still roamed
North America. Archaeologists sometimes refer to these . . . — — Map (db m144948) HM
The stone mound here once sat on nearby Signal Mountain and is now
understood to be part of a much larger cultural landscape. Working with
the Muscogee (Creek) Nation and the people of the Arbeka (Abihka)
Ceremonial Ground, archaeologist Robert . . . — — Map (db m144927) HM
On Main Street south of East Oak Street, on the right when traveling north.
The town of Oxford was first incorporated by the Alabama legislature in 1852. The original boundaries included a one square mile area enlarged in 1860. Oxford became active as a cotton and trading center but during the Civil War growth slowed, and . . . — — Map (db m106591) HM
The arrival of European explorers and colonists in North
America disrupted the Mississippian world in ways that
researchers are still working to understand. Spanish
explorer Hernando de Soto arrived in the interior in AD
1540. He traveled . . . — — Map (db m144973) HM
Centered around Boiling Spring, the
Choccolocco Creek Archaeological
Complex once consisted of at least
three earthen mounds, a large stone
mound, and a large snake effigy
(representation) also made of stone.
The largest earthen mound once . . . — — Map (db m144926) HM
On McKibbon Street, 0.1 miles west of Ross Street, on the right when traveling west.
Located at the end of McKibbon Street is on a cedar covered hill with a beautiful view. The cemetery contains the remains of many of Oxford's early settlers. Some markers date in the 1850's. — — Map (db m195727) HM
Today, the people who once inhabited this region of Alabama are recognized
by the federal government as belonging to several tribes: the Muscogee
(Creek) Nation, Alabama-Quassarte Tribal Town, Kialegee Tribal Town, and
Thlopthlocco Tribal Town of . . . — — Map (db m144937) HM
{Timeline from 12,500 BC to AD 1979}
Creek Chiefs During the Removal Period
Selocta, Chinnabee, Soletawv Cetto Yupe, Horned Snake Soldier
Opothle Yahola
Menawa
William McIntosh — — Map (db m145089) HM
The interpretive trail winds through what was once the 19th century
Muscogee (Creek) Nation town of Choccolocco. Archaeologists have
found evidence that Native Americans began coming to this place about
8,000 BC and the establishment of long-term . . . — — Map (db m145097) HM
Woodland period people established permanent communities
within a climate and forest that was very similar to that
experienced by today's residents of the Choccolocco Valley. By
AD 100, the residents had started constructing the earthen
mound . . . — — Map (db m144977) HM
