Hickory Ground - A Poarch Creek Perspective

Robert Thrower
Poarch Creek Tribal Historic Preservation Officer
Submitted by Rock Chambless

Hickory Ground, located in Wetumpka, Alabama, finds its historical legacy as the last capital town of the former Creek Nation in the East, which encompassed all of the State of Georgia, three quarters of Alabama, and a majority of the Florida Panhandle. The Creek Nation, with its complexity of social, religious, and political organization, would become one of the Tribal Nations upon which the founding fathers of the United States of America would find inspiration for the creation of the representative government which we all share today. As a representative town within the Creek Nation, Hickory Ground served a vital role within the social, religious, and political activities of the Creek Nation.

Hickory Ground is highly significant in the historical legacy of both our country and the state of Alabama, as well as the present day Poarch Band of Creek Indians. Located within trust lands of the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, Hickory Ground represents both the historical legacy of the Tribe and serves as a potential site of future hope. Poarch Creek Indians are planning the development of an Interpretive Center and Memorial Garden within their Tribal properties at Hickory Ground which will honor the past, as well as present and future legacy of the site. The Interpretive Center will seek to educate everyone on the importance of Hickory Ground as a historical site. The Memorial Garden will serve as a site for the repatriation of Southeastern American Indian human remains and associated funerary objects which are presently scattered throughout the country in museums, universities, and the repositories of various agencies. Though Hickory Ground was historically the last major town of the former Creek Nation, through the Memorial Garden, it will serve a future legacy as a point of homecoming and final resting place for remains of ancestors.