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Jackson's Military Road: Difference between revisions
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=== Historical Background === | === Historical Background === | ||
During the War of 1812 General Andrew Jackson needed to be able to move his army quickly to defend New Orleans, Mobile, or Pensacola in case of a British attack. A network of roads was created linking these Gulf Coast ports to Nashville, Tennessee. | During the War of 1812 General Andrew Jackson needed to be able to move his army quickly to defend New Orleans, Biloxi, Mobile, or Pensacola in case of a British attack. A network of roads was created linking these Gulf Coast ports to Nashville, Tennessee.<ref>Dollarhide, 35-36.</ref> | ||
After the war in 1816, Congress appropriated funds to improve the road, build bridges and swamp causeways, and named the route from Nashville to New Orleans in honor of General Jackson. | After the war in 1816, Congress appropriated funds and assigned the Army to improve the road, build bridges and swamp causeways, and named the route from Nashville to New Orleans in honor of General Jackson.<ref>Love, 406-407.</ref> | ||
The road quickly became an important pathway for settlers. It also began to siphon off some of the traffic from the much older [[Natchez Trace|Natchez Trace]]. | The road quickly became an important pathway for settlers. Many settlers made their homes by the side of the road.<ref>Love, 415.</ref> It also began to siphon off some of the traffic from the much older [[Natchez Trace|Natchez Trace]].<ref>Wikipedia Contributors, "Natchez Trace" in ''Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia'' at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natchez_Trace (accessed 6 August 2010).</ref> But times change. By 1845 the Military Road was neglected in favor of Robinson's Road.<ref>Love, 416-17.</ref> | ||
=== Route === | === Route === | ||