Federal Horse Path

United States Migration  Trails and Roads;  Federal Horse Path

Back in 1806 no one had an idea about an interstate or freeway but as the nation grew a horse path for postal riders was carved through the woods of the Creek Indian nation from the middle of Georgia to the coast of Alabama.

Historical Background
In 1798, the United States formed the Mississippi Territory which included a large portion of present day Alabama and Mississippi. When the United States purchased the Louisiana Territory from France in 1803, an access route was needed to this new territory. In 1805, the U.S. Government got the Creek Nation to give permission for a "horse path" through the Creek Nation. The “horse path” became the Federal Road which served as a major thoroughfare for western migration of settlers.