Places: the Tallapoosa River

Few small rivers are as full of history as this one, which rises in what is now Paulding County, Georgia at the base of the Appalachian Mountains and flows 265 miles into Alabama for an eventual junction with the Coosa River.  The name of the River means Grandmother Town in Muscogee and the branch of the Creek Nation which settled here is deemed to be the oldest in the tribe. 

The Tallapoosa River was in the heart of Muscogee/Creek Country.  Earlier, during Mississippian times, it was under the jurisdiction of Tuscaloosa/Tuskaloosa.  De Soto visited the area in 1540, demanded supplies from the leader of the town of Talisi before proceeding to his meeting with Tuscaloosa and the ill-fated battle of Mabila.  Later, several important Creek towns were located along the river, including Tallisi/Tallassee, which was the hometown of many important Red Stick leaders such as Opothleyahola, Peter McQueen, and of course, Osceola, who was born Creek but became famous leading bands of Seminole, Miccosuke and Black warriors into battle to maintain their newfound home in Florida.

The Battle of Horseshoe Bend was fought on a bend in the Tallapoosa River in March, 1814, and the site is now preserved by the National Park Service.  After the Creeks were removed from the area in the 1830's, White settlers moved into the area.  Towns such as Tallassee became mill towns.  Eventually, several hydro-electric and water reclamation damns were placed on the River, one of them forming Lake Martin, not far from the Horseshoe Bend battle site.  The river provides a place for fishing, kayaking and other recreational activities today.