Horseshoe Bend National Military Park

Horseshoe Bend National Military Park

Ok, so I'm back trying to catch up again.

Right after Thanksgiving, while still in Alabama, (actually after several of us went to the park in Dadeville), we went to go see Horseshoe Bend National Military Park, just about 10-15 miles East of Dadeville, AL. 

Since Daveville is between Auburn and both the lake house and Birmingham, I've seen the sign for it countless times, and one afternoon while an undergrad at Auburn I remember exploring the area and stumbled on it.  But, I remember that there were no cars there so I thought maybe it was closed, so I didn't go in.  That's pretty much how it looked now, but we stopped anyway and went in. 

The park visitor center is very nice but small, with an area for some very nice interpretive exhibits with lots of artifacts and a small theater.  We went through those areas then went back outside and drove on the loop around the park that takes you too all of the important spots, with the help of a map and interpretive pamphlet avaiolable in the park office.  It was a nice drive, but with the kids asleep it was too much trouble to stop, get out, and walk to some of the spots.  Admission is free. 

So, it didn't take us very long in the park.  It is small and not a ton of things to do, but it is nice and the history is really interesting.  I'm not going to pretend to remember everything that I learned in the Museum, so I'll just quote from the park's website:

"In the spring of 1814, General Andrew Jackson and an army of 3,300 men attacked 1,000 Upper Creek warriors on the Tallapoosa River. Over 800 Upper Creeks died defending their homeland. Never before or since in the history of our country have so many American Indians lost their lives in a single battle. This 2040-acre park preserves the site of the battle."  If I remember correctly, from here Jackson went on to the Battle of New Orleans, and his decisive victories in both theaters propelled him to the presidency not long after.