I’ve Got Georgia on My Mind: Part four – Ocmulgee National Monument/Historical Park

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The Georgia state line.

We visited the state of Georgia in May of 2019 while on our way to Quebec, Canada. Quebec was just the beginning of a trip throughout the Maritimes and eastern seaboard. We were on the road seven months!

Later in 2019 the monument was changed to a national historical park.

Ocmulgee Mounds is located on the east bank of the Ocmulgee River in Macon, Georgia. The mounds preserve traces of human habitation for over seventeen thousand years. (Wikipedia) These mounds are not just burial mounds; they also include the Great Temple Mound, other smaller ceremonial mounds as well as defensive trenches and a trading post.

In 1806 Fort Benjamin Hawkins was built to support trading with the Native Americans. The town of Macon, Georgia began to be developed around the Ocmulgee Mound area soon after the fort was established.

During the Civil War (1860-65) the Confederate Army built trenches through the mounds in defense of the oncoming Union Army led by General William T. Sherman.

MaryAnn and the Traveling Pups at the entrance to the mounds.
MaryAnn is getting tired of me taking her picture.
The bridge over railroad tracks that were originally constructed in the late 1800’s destroying much of the mounds and erasing human history.
In 1843 and 1873 train tracks were laid through the middle of the Ocmulgee Mounds destroying large areas of its history.
Part of the train tracks through Ocmulgee Historical Park.
Looking from the bridge at the remaining Ocmulgee Mounds.
The entrance into one of the smaller mounds reveals a ceremonial meeting place and the highly skilled engineering techniques of these ancient peoples of North America.
The room inside one of the mounds. The room is incased in glass to preserve the area.
The ceremonial room incased in glass.
Returning back up the tunnel to the outside world and back into the daylight.
There’s a lot of walking and stair climbing involved in exploring Ocmulgee.
Ocmulgee area has a deep connection to the history of European American colonies and the Civil War era.
Did I mention there’s a lot of walking?
The Great Temple Mound is one of the highlights of the area. Picture taken from 300 yards away.
The Great Temple Mound.
Steps leading to the top of the Great Temple Mound.
Yes, that’s MaryAnn at the top of the temple mound. I did not accept the challenge! Besides, someone needed to stay with the pups, I volunteered.
MaryAnn doesn’t like to take pictures, but I was able to talk her into one.
It’s a long way up to the top! Better wear sensible shoes when visiting here.
MaryAnn’s finally on her way back down.
It was a hot day. The Traveling Pups needed a break in the shade.
Picture taken from the top of one of the smaller mounds.
MaryAnn and the Traveling Pups are heading back across the bridge to end our adventure at Ocmulgee Mounds.
The Traveling Pups didn’t quite make it across the bridge. They started to protest against walking the rest of the way.
MaryAnn got those tired pups back on their feet and back on the road to our next adventure in Georgia!

There are still more adventures to come here in beautiful Georgia so stay tuned as we continue our exploration next time.

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