Fort Benjamin Hawkins
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Fort Benjamin Hawkins was a fort, built in 1806 by the United States government under the administration of President Thomas Jefferson. It overlooked the ancient Indian mounds of the Ocmulgee Old Fields, as well as, the future site of Macon, across the river.
History
Fort Hawkins is a War of 1812 frontier fort whose reconstructed blockhouse is located in Macon, Georgia. It is only two blocks from the Ocmulgee National Monument. In fact, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Hawkins chose this site because the fort overlooks the sacred Native American lands of the Ocmulgee Old Fields, transportation on the Ocmulgee River, and the Old Garrison Road. People from the Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw Nations, Czechoslovakia, England, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Muskogee Nation, Scotland, the Seminole Nation, Spain and West Africa are historically represented at the fort.Preservation and reconstruction
In 1938, through the efforts of the Daughters of the American Revolution, and with the Works Progress Administration, a replica of Fort Hawkins' southeastern blockhouse was reconstructed on the exact location of the original, using some of the original stones in the basement section. The upper floors are made of concrete formed to simulate the original wood timbers.
During reconstruction, archaeology conducted at the site revealed the location and extent of the stockade walls and corner blockhouses. These excavations uncovered many everyday items used by the fort's inhabitants. The City of Macon acquired the historic site in 2002. The replicated southeast blockhouse, which is occasionally opened to the public, is a Macon icon.
Currently, the City of Macon’s Fort Hawkins Commission is raising funds to reconstruct the entire 1.4 acre (5,700 m²) stockade. Extensive archaeological excavation of the fort is anticipated in 2005 and 2006.
External links
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