Visit Horseshoe Bend National Military Park during the bicentennial commemoration of the Creek War

Horseshoe Bend National Military Park, Alabama
a National Park Service Monthly Getaway

By Doyle Sapp, Superintendent, Horseshoe Bend National Military Park

Nature provided a landscape-sized protection in the shape of a sharp horseshoe bend of the Tallapoosa River to the people of several Upper Creek towns of present-day Alabama. These Creek people, also known as Red Sticks, chose this site, surrounded by water on three sides, to establish the village of Tohopeka in the waning days of 1813 as a safe haven during the Creek War of 1813-1814 and the War of 1812.

On March 27, 1814, the natural defense that the Tallapoosa provided was pitted against the technology of muskets and cannons. An army led by Major General Andrew Jackson of approximately 4,000 Americans, allied Creek and Cherokee arrived at the bend to attack the Red Stick encampment. The fighting raged for hours, but ended ultimately in a decisive American victory which made a national hero of Andrew Jackson.

(Photo: NPS.gov)

This struggle marked the end of the Creek War. Within six months, the Treaty of Fort Jackson was signed and the Creek Nation ceded 23 million acres to the United States government. These lands were divided into the new state of Alabama and the existing state of Georgia. 

Today, Horseshoe Bend National Military Park is a quiet 2,400-acre sanctuary, belying the chaos of the Creek War and the War of 1812. Starting in March 2014, the park commemorates the bicentennial of the battle.

The beautiful natural landscape of central Alabama offers many scenic vistas to explore on your visit. A 3-mile driving tour visits important battle sites, with stops at the spot where the Creek erected the protective log barricade in the early days of 1814 and the site of the Tohopeka village. Not to be missed is the 2.8-mile nature trail snaking through the dense hardwood and pine forest. Along the trail you’ll find a dramatic view overlooking the battlefield and the high ground overlooking the site of Tohopeka, the refuge village of the Red Sticks. 

The park will host a wide variety of interpretive events throughout March 2014, including a symposium in partnership with Auburn University, living history encampments, and Creek and Cherokee cultural demonstrations. Throughout the year, park volunteers demonstrate life at war and at peace through living history musters. Read more. 

National Park Service employees' New Year's resolutions

A new year is a fresh start. It is a chance to try a little harder and be a little better. And the holiday season wouldn't be complete without sharing these intentions. As the calendar turns to 2014, National Park Service employees take a minute to reflect on the past and make plans for next year. Check out their resolutions -- some serious, some silly.

“We send our best wishes to all national park fans across the country,” said National Park Service Director Jonathan B. Jarvis. “We hope your resolutions for the new year include a visit to one of America’s 401 national parks!”

What's your resolution for 2014? Happy New Year!

Winter wonderland of National Park's seasonal events

The National Park Service (NPS) and the non-profit National Park Foundation are counting on you and the family to jump in your sleighs and visit a park to take in some seasonal festivities. Parks distributed throughout the country are having special activities in December, so there's bound to be something near where your RV travels take you.

Alaska - Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park
December 2, 2011, join in the holiday cheer with performances by local talent, sing along carols, stories, poems and refreshments at the Yuletide Christmas Concert in the National Park Service Auditorium.

Colorado - Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site
December 2 and 3, witness the joys, pleasures and pastimes of the 1840s at an isolated trading post with candlelight tours of the fort.

Indiana - Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore

On December 10, visitors can take part in Holiday Traditions in the Dunes including activities in four different park locations, tree decorating and a live performance from Nordic Kids.

Iowa - Herbert Hoover National Historic Site
December 2 through December 4, the birthplace of Herbert Hoover, the 31st President of the United States, will host "A Christmas Past" events.

Louisiana - Cane River Creole National Historical Park
Stop by the Magnolia Plantation Overseer's house on December 10 for Christmas crafts and live music by the LaCour Trio. The whole plantation complex will be open for self guided tours.

Missouri - Jefferson National Expansion Memorial
Come out and enjoy the 2011 Historic Holiday Traditions Weekend Series on December 3, December 10 and December 17. The Historical Old Courthouse will feature music and activities that will take place in the rotunda, which will be adorned beautifully with Victorian decorations. Complimentary cookies and juice will be served during all weekend events.

Montana - Grant-Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site
On December 4, explore the elegant Kohrs' family ranch house. It will be decorated to reflect a Victorian Christmas.

Nebraska - Homestead National Monument of America
From November 25 through December 31, the Winter Festival of Prairie Cultures celebrates the winter traditions of people who lived on the Great Plains during the homesteading era.

New York - Vanderbilt Mansion National Historic Site
Visit the Vanderbilt Mansion from November 25 to December 21 to view the holiday decorations; or kick off the holiday season at the special Holiday Open House on December 4.

Ohio - Cuyahoga Valley National Park
Journey to the North Pole on The Polar Express™ Children's Holiday Train November 17 through December 20. Enjoy hearing a reading of The Polar Express™ en route to the North Pole. Passengers are encouraged to wear their pajamas. Cookies and hot chocolate are served.

Pennsylvania - Steamtown National Historic Site
Join in the merriment and festivities aboard the steam-powered "Holiday Express" rides to Moscow, Pennsylvania on November 23, 24 and December 1. Enjoy holiday songs, stories and other fun activities for the children at both the former passenger station and freight depots.

Utah - Golden Spoke National Historic Site
From December 28 – 30, visitors can take part in the annual Winter Steam Festival and watch one of their locomotives in action, as well as at rest in the same spot where the transcontinental railroad was completed over 142 years ago.

Washington - Fort Vancouver National Historic Site
Friday evenings through mid-December visitors take park in a guided lantern tour through the Fur Store, the Counting House, and Bake House. You will learn what activities would have occurred once the sun set at Fort Vancouver

Washington, D.C. – The White House and President's Park
After kicking off the holiday season with The National Christmas Tree Lighting on December 1st, visitors are invited to Santa's Workshop to meet Santa and his elves and enjoy holiday music performances throughout the month of December.

photo: Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site, Colorado, National Park Service