Fort Mims — Attraction in Bay Minette

Historical Site & landmark where a massacre of over 500 people & a battle with the Creek Indians happened in 1813 when Alabama was part of Mississippi Territory prior to becoming a US state in 1819. Originally, the site was part of the Mims Plantation, and had settlers of mixed Indian heritage, Creoles, slaves, & other early Americans. Mims had a blockhouse built, but it was no match for over 700 Red Stick Creek Indians that invaded & massacred the majority of the people there. There are many historical information plaques throughout the park & a reconstruction fort/ blockhouse. There is a small locked museum in the park, but I think it is only open for events. The park has several electric hookups for RVs & events. Park was pet friendly, dogs allowed, but I was the only one there. You have to drive through a small trailer hime community to access the park. I did not see any restrooms or drinking fountains, I am assuming they have that brought in during the August reenactment of the battle every year. I am not going to lie, this place very haunted & super natural considering the loss of life & energy here. Supposedly, when reinforcements made it in to the area a week later in 1813, there was so many dead, they put most of them down the well & buried there. There are memorials listing the dead from all sides. It feels creepy. But it is a part of history,...

After touring other Creek War related sites this summer, we were looking forward to visiting the site of the incident that started the conflict. Unfortunately, there's not much here. We came in January, and while the grounds were open, the (rather small) museum shed was locked. There are no indications of hours anywhere onsite or online, and it's possible it's only actually manned during the anniversary encampment and reenactment in August. In fact, the bleachers are left out in place right in the middle of the fort, year round.

Three walls of the "fort" (which was actually a local plantation fortified with a stockade) have been reconstructed (not on the original location for its protection), along with a blockhouse donated by a Georgia chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. There are a few interpretive plaques around the site that explain what happened, but they only take maybe 20-30 minutes to walk around and read every word. Especially given the out of the way location, there's really no need to visit unless you're really intent on...

A nice place to visit and learn about its history. There are informational placards available to assist in learning. This is an unmanned/attended fort open from dawn until dusk. Some of the informational pieces are broken, damaged or covered in dirt from the elements. There is a small building labeled museum that is locked. It is worth visiting if you are a history buff or even just curious. I am sure the best time to visit is probably the last week in August when reenactments are held. It is a relatively small property otherwise, that you don't need much time to see...