The Old Federal Road

The Old Federal Road was originally a postal route, cut through Creek territory in the early 1800s to carry mail between Washington, Georgia and New Orleans. It quickly became the main overland corridor for settlers moving into the Alabama territory, and Fort Mitchell — sitting astride the road where it crossed the Chattahoochee River — grew up as a waypoint and garrison along it. Stretches of the original roadbed can still be traced near the site today.