2006 RV - Doug & Crystal

Nestled at the confluence of the Coosa and Tallapoosa Rivers, Fort Toulouse - Fort Jackson State Historic Site has been a part of over 6000 years of history. The Park is open year-round for the public’s enjoyment where you can step back in time wandering through the French and American Forts or walking to the Mississippian Mound site.You may choose to visit the William Bartram Nature Trail, named for the famed 18 century botanist. The trail winds through the southern edge of the park to the Tallapoosa River. Almost every month includes a weekend of living history by the French Marines at Fort Toulouse along with a weekend of living history by the Tennessee Militia and the U.S. Army Regulars at Fort Jackson. One weekend a month is also set aside for historic black-smithing. There are special events throughout the year such as Frontier Days in the Fall and the French and Indian Encampment in the Spring.
The Creek War between 1813-1814 could have easily been called the War for the Alabama, because what was at stake for both the Creek Indians and frontiersmen was the occupation of the lands drained by the Alabama and its tributaries. (Jackson)
It was during this conflict that frontiersmen built their own strategic forts, fearing Indian attack and being unable to rely on US troops to protect them. The most famous of these was Fort Mims. Fort Mims was considered the strongest fort in the territory and was located near the curve of the Alabama along the northwest edge of present-day Baldwin County. The Fort was actually the fortified home of Samuel Mims and sat on high ground on the east bank of Tensaw Lake, an oxbow lake formed from an old channel of the Alabama River and connected to the river by a navigable passage.