Just Around The Bend

Story By Tucker Massey Photos Contributed By Horseshoe Bend National Military Park

Horseshoe Bend National Military Park is more than just your typical sightseeing trip. Horseshoe Bend has deep historical roots, largely regarding native tribes from the area, and still embraces those roots today.

In March of 1814, Gen. Andrew Jackson led over 3,000 troops to surround Redstick Creeks at Horseshoe Bend, named for the deep bend in the Tallapoosa River. The battle resulted in a crushing defeat for the Creek, later causing the people to hand over most of the Muscogee Creek Nation’s land to the U.S. at Fort Jackson in present-day Wetumpka.

Despite Horseshoe Bend’s violent history, it was eventually turned into Alabama’s first national park. It opened in 1964 and is home to 2,040 acres. The park is located in Daviston, just north of Dadeville.

Park Ranger Matthew Robinson dove into both the rich history of Horseshoe Bend and its modern use and operation.

“This park is the site of the last battle of the Creek War,” Robinson said. “The battle site and Creek village of Nuyaka are in the park.”

Robinson noted that this park is not only significant to Alabama, but to the United States as a whole. This battle site was crucial in gaining millions of acres that became Georgia and Alabama.

“This was nationally significant because it had the largest number of American Indians to die in a single battle with the United States, it ended the Creek War, it raised Andrew Jackson to the Army,” Robinson said. “It also led to the founding of the state of Alabama in 1819 and, later, the Indian Removal Act from the 1830s.”

Despite its dark past and the events that followed the battle, the park seeks to celebrate the Muscogee people today. There is a museum on site highlighting all the history behind the park, and it also works with 13 tribes to host events throughout the year.

“Today, it’s a place for people to come and say they’ve been to a national park,” Robinson said. “It’s a place to learn about Alabama history, but it’s also a place where the Muscogee Creek people come back to as a homecoming, as it’s their ancestral land.”

When visiting the park, there is much more to see than just the history behind it. There is a 2.8-mile nature trail that takes visitors around the battle site and along the Tallapoosa River.

“The Tallapoosa is just a beautiful river,” Robinson said. “It’s just beautiful public land that’s undeveloped. The nature and wildlife are beautiful, but it’s always important to understand

the history behind it.”

Robinson said he felt that the tribal roots of the park are a vital part of Horseshoe Bend’s history. He also said that the park was beneficial to learning about the natives — who they were and who they are today.

The museum accompanies the natural history of the battle site and village. Robinson said the museum was renovated roughly a year ago, and this was the museum’s fourth installment since the park’s opening.

Due to the pandemic, Horseshoe Bend has been unable to hold one of its most anticipated events in person for several years. However, that hiatus is coming to an end this March to commemorate the anniversary of the battle.

“March 27 is the anniversary of the battle, so we are hosting our first anniversary event since 2019,” Robinson said. “We should have representatives from the Muscogee Creek Nation, hopefully Principal Chief Hill and cultural demonstrators. We will also have history camps at the event.”

Robinson said that the camps will include musket demonstrations, wool spinning and other activities that were commonplace in Creek society. He said he is excited to bring back the event after having the past few years off.

Although the entirety of the park spans over 2,000 acres, only 100 acres are in use for the purposes of the park. Robinson said this was to preserve some of the natural beauty of Alabama.

“As a national park, the first thing we do is preserve this place,” he said. “We preserve the natural resources, which is mainly preserving this area of the river, the flora and fauna as best as we can. We try to restore the ecology of the area to more native Alabama ecology.”

Robinson said that while the park is focused on preserving the natural resources of the site, it also preserves the battle site to the best of its ability.

“Not only do we preserve the area, we also preserve it for the American public,” Robinson said. “We want people to come, and learn and interpret the site and its resources. It’s not only a place that is protected, but a place for people to come enjoy.”

Horseshoe Bend is covered by history, natural beauty and culture. The work done to keep the park running and showcasing the native United States and Alabama history is tremendous.

As time moves on, the staff at Horseshoe Bend works fervently to preserve a part of Alabama that may no longer be around in the future. The park’s team wants people to witness all that the area once was, Robinson said, which is why they have kept the park’s history at the forefront of their tours, events and camps.

But while the park educates and preserves, Robinson said he wants people to come and enjoy what it has to offer.

“People are really starting to enjoy the river,” he said. “We’re only 45 minutes away from the Auburn-Opelika area, and it’s a great place for people to drive to, and kayak and canoe. It’s just a beautiful area that’s not too far away.”