Celebrated as one of Alabama’s largest and most authentic living history events, Alabama Frontier Days brings the early 18th century frontier to vivid life. This event puts into focus the south as it transitioned from Creek Indian lands to military forts and civilian homesteads from 1700 to 1820. Using Fort Toulouse-Fort Jackson in Wetumpka, AL as a historical backdrop, the public can experience living historians who will bring the fort to life through military reenactments with booming cannon fire and captivating demonstrations of frontier crafts and trades.
This snapshot of frontier life includes Creek Indians, French soldiers and their families, British traders who lived among the Creeks and American soldiers who fought in Andrew Jackson’s army during the Creek War. Attendees can also enjoy period entertainment including an eighteenth-century magician, merchants, strolling balladeers, and musicians.
More than 300 years ago, the French founded Fort Toulouse in 1717, naming it for Louis-Alexandre de Bourbon, comte de Toulouse, son of King Louis XIV. The fort was established on the then-far eastern border of the Louisiana Colony as a means to counter the growing influence of the British colonies in the South. The site was referred to as Post of Alabama, a nickname that referenced the Alabama tribe of Upper Creek Indians, who like the fort, resided just at the convergence of the Coosa, Tallapoosa and Alabama Rivers.
For nearly 50 years, French Garrisons remained on site. In 1763, The Treaty of Paris signaled the end of the French and Indian War, and troops abandoned the post. Decades later, General Andrew Jackson encamped his troops on the site of Fort Toulouse during the War of 1812 and Creek War. At that time, Jackson ordered a larger fortification to be constructed near the former-French post, a fort which would be named after him in recognition of his military victories in the Creek War.
Apart from its human history, the park has also been long-recognized for its natural beauty. Naturalist William Bartram noted visiting the area in 1775, while studying native flora and fauna. Visitors today can enjoy The William Bartram Trail located within the grounds on site.
Fort Toulouse-Fort Jackson was declared a National Historic Landmark by the Department of Interior in 1961 and was acquired by the AHC in 1971. Click here to learn more about visiting Fort Toulouse-Fort Jackson.