Fort Mims State Historic Site, Alabama, United States

3Dewayne P 5:00 PM Jun 1, 2021

Major importance, but not much to it
What a truly important significance this location holds. In the Creek War (1813-1814) this was a blow to the US with hundreds of people, many women and children, killed. There are some replica fort construction, a few monuments, and lots of signs, but not more than that. If you go during an event I am sure it is much nicer. It is tucked away in a small housing area with a few parking places. Good spot for a picnic though.

3John T 5:00 PM Jun 23, 2016

Significant Site, Lackluster Interpretation
I was really excited to visit this site, and although I knew there was no staff and little interpretation, I was still disappointed by its state. After US forces attacked Redstick Creek villages (essentially Creeks that rejected assimilating to American culture) in 1813 unprovoked, the Redsticks retaliated by overwhelming this poorly constructed fort and killing everyone inside. Numbers are uncertain, but at least 500 whites and Creeks lost their lives in the fighting. This event galvanized the US into action and US troops overran Creek Country by 1814. Andrew Jackson forced the Creeks to sign a treaty after defeating them, seriously weakening the Creek people. This site is significant to Creek and American history but it is not well maintained. The site had a few modern signs of interpretation (and it was obvious someone had done an excellent job multiple sides into perspective), but there was little else. The fort consisted of a tower and a long stockade, with gates at each end. A little museum was nearby but it was closed. Ironically, the fort is surrounded completely by a trailer park, although there is a remnant Creek band about 30 minutes away. On the upside, this site is free, but it is obvious it just needs more funding to build more of the fort and better exhibits.