Fort Mitchell Historic Site facts for kids
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Fort Mitchell Site
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A reconstruction of the stockade and a blockhouse.
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 Location in Alabama
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| Nearest city | Fort Mitchell, Alabama |
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| Built | 1813 |
| NRHP reference No. | 72000178 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | June 13, 1972 |
| Designated NHL | June 21, 1990 |
Fort Mitchell Historic Site is a special park and an old archaeological site in Fort Mitchell, Alabama. It was named a National Historic Landmark in 1990, which means it's a very important place in American history.
At the park, you can see a rebuilt fort from 1813. This fort was a key military base for the United States during the Creek War. There's also a museum with displays about the fort's past. You can explore old carriages, a restored log home from the 1800s, and a visitor center.
Near the fort, the Chattahoochee Indian Heritage Center has a special flame memorial for the Creek Nation. Signs there tell the story of the Creek War of 1836. They also explain how the Creek people were forced to move along the Trail of Tears. The site also has historic burial grounds.
Contents
Fort Mitchell: A Look at Its Past
Fort Mitchell Historic Site shows us how the Creek Nation and the United States interacted over time.
The First Fort Mitchell (1813)
The first Fort Mitchell was built in 1813. It was an outpost during the Creek War and the War of 1812. The fort was named after David Brydie Mitchell, who was a governor of Georgia.
This fort was part of a big idea called Manifest Destiny. This idea meant that many Americans believed they had a right to expand across the continent. The United States fought against the Red Sticks, a group within the Creek Nation. The Red Sticks did not want Americans to take over their land.
After the war, the Creek people lost. They had to give up a huge amount of land. This land was about 21 million acres (85,000 km²) in Georgia and Alabama. This happened in 1814 and affected both the Lower and Upper Creek towns.
The Indian Factory and Trading Post
Later, in 1817, Fort Mitchell became an "Indian Factory." This was a trading post run by the US government. It was a place where Native Americans and settlers could trade goods. This trading post moved here from Fort Benjamin Hawkins in Georgia.
The trading post operated until about 1820. A post office also worked at the fort from 1818 to 1820.
Changes and Rebuilding
In 1821, Colonel John Crowell became the US Indian agent for the Creek. He was appointed by US President James Madison. Colonel Crowell replaced David Brydie Mitchell.
By 1825, the US Army rebuilt the fort. A group of soldiers, called a garrison, stayed there until 1840. This was after the Indian removal of the late 1830s. This removal meant many Native American tribes were forced to leave their homes.
The Second Creek War (1836)
Fort Mitchell was also used during the Creek War of 1836. This war happened in Alabama. The state government tried to control the land that belonged to the Creek people. After this war, most Creek people in Alabama were forced to move to Indian Territory. This territory is now part of Oklahoma. Those who stayed in Alabama had to give up their tribal membership. They became citizens of the state and the US.
Archaeological Discoveries
In 1971, experts started digging at the old fort site. Only ruins were left. They found old graves, parts of a hospital, and remains of the fort itself. They also found outbuildings, offices, barracks, and storage rooms. A report about these findings was published in 1974.
In 1990, the site was officially named a National Historic Monument. This recognized its importance.
Fort Mitchell National Cemetery
In 1987, the Department of Defense created the Fort Mitchell National Cemetery here. This cemetery is a burial place for United States veterans. It serves veterans from the Southeast and Gulf Coast regions.
Gallery
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A blockhouse at one corner of the Fort Mitchell stockade.
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Inside the Fort Mitchell stockade.
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Blacksmith shop inside the Fort Mitchell stockade. Historical demonstrations are periodically presented.
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Exterior of the Fort Mitchell stockade.
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Reconstructed Indian trading post outside of the Fort Mitchell stockade.
