Fort Daniel facts for kids

Fort Daniel was an important fort built in Georgia, United States. It was located on Hog Mountain, which is now part of Gwinnett County. The fort was constructed in 1813, during a conflict called the War of 1812. Its main purpose was to keep settlers safe in the western parts of Georgia. In 2007, archaeologists carefully dug up and studied the site where the fort once stood.

The History of Fort Daniel

Building a Protective Line

Back in 1798, a person named Benjamin Hawkins worked as an "Indian agent." This meant he was a government official who dealt with Native American tribes. Hawkins helped create a special boundary line in north Georgia. This line marked the edge of the hunting grounds for the Cherokee people.

To help protect the settlers living in the area, several forts were built along this "Hawkins Line." One of these early forts was located at Hog Mountain. This spot was near the beginning of the Apalachee River.

Rebuilding for the War of 1812

Not much is known about the very first fort at Hog Mountain. But by 1813, a new fort was needed. General Allen Daniel, Jr. of the Georgia Militia ordered the fort at Hog Mountain to be rebuilt. This new fort was named Fort Daniel, likely in honor of the general himself.

Fort Daniel was built as part of Georgia's defenses during the War of 1812. This war was fought between the United States and Great Britain. During this time, there were also conflicts with some Native American groups. Fort Daniel helped protect settlers during these challenging times.

Connecting Forts and Roads

In the same month that Fort Daniel was ordered to be rebuilt, another fort was planned. Lieutenant George Rockingham Gilmer was told to build a fort where Peachtree Creek met the Chattahoochee River. This area is now part of Buckhead in modern Atlanta.

This second fort was known as Fort Peachtree or Fort Gilmer. It was connected to Fort Daniel by a road. Today, parts of this historic road are still used as Peachtree Street, a major road in Atlanta.

Rediscovering Fort Daniel

For many years, the exact location of Fort Daniel was lost. Then, in 2002, a Georgia historical marker was placed near Lawrenceville, Georgia. This marker helped people remember the fort's importance.

In 2007, the Gwinnett Archaeological Research Society found the actual site of the fort. They began to dig and study the area. By 2011, their excavations had uncovered many interesting things. They found old items like ceramics and nails. They also found parts of the fort itself, such as the trench where a stockade wall once stood. A stockade was a tall fence made of strong wooden posts. They also found evidence of blockhouses, which were small, strong buildings used for defense.