Horseshoe Bend National Military Park

I'm back to trying to post a few more experiences from our trip and today is a rest day for me, so I'll back up to Horseshoe Bend National Military Park.  You'd think at first glance at the title that this is about a "military" battle, but it really a battle place between the Red Stick Creek Indians led by Chief Menawa and the US Government led by Andrew Jackson called the Battle of Horseshoe Bend.  This battle was the final battle ending the Creek Indian Wars in March 1814.  It was a bit lopsided since Jackson had 3,300 Tennessee militia, US Regulars and allied warriors under his command while the Creek had 1,000.  Over 800 Red Sticks died that day on land and in the river while Jackson lost only 49 men with 150 injured.  With a win under Jackson's belt, this war added 23 million acres of Creek land to the southeastern US creating 3/5 of the land of Alabama (admitted into the Union in 1819) and 1/5 of the land of Georgia.  Nine months after this battle, he defeated the British in the Battle of New Orleans - the last major battle of the War of 1812.  Jackson successfully won both wars.  For Andrew Jackson, this defeat and that of New Orleans started his fame and the road to the White House when he became the 7th President of the United States.

Chief Menawa

The Visitor Center parking lot had just been resurfaced and relined so we were in a little pickle when we arrived at their location.  We managed to get into the park and park our rig on the grassy area.  Naturally, bugs were everywhere. 

The Visitor Center was small but nicely done with a small display of the battle, Creek Indian artifacts and set in a beautiful location on the bend of the Tallapoosa River.

The exhibit was small but adequately portrayed the fate of the Creek as well as the battle.

The 200th Anniversary of the Battle of Horseshoe Bend
was in March 2014.  During the Commemorative
Ceremony, the Muscogee (Creek) National in Oklahoma
presented Horseshoe Bend National Military Park
with this limited edition Pendleton wool blanket.

It was a good park to experience and understand the role of the Creek in our history.  The park is small but there is a good amount of knowledge to be gained here.  There is a Junior Ranger program for kids here and the river is just a short walk from the Visitor Center.  There are also program during the summer months for kids called Summer Creek Culture Camps.  Visit their website here to view these programs.

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