In 1805 when the Creeks were forced to cede their lands between the Oconee and Ocmulgee Rivers, they refused to part with a 3x5-mile strip which was known as the Ocmulgee Old Fields Reserve.  They allowed pioneer U.S. Military Fort Hawkins to be constructed on the Reserve and improvement of the ancient Lower Creek Trading Path, which became known as the Federal Road, once a major route for early settlement in Alabama, Mississippi, and beyond.  For the duration of its existence as a U.S. military establishment, the fort sat on Indian-owned land.

Fort Hawkins is considered Macon's birthplace and a portion of the site is owned by the city.  During the late 1930's, the Daughters of the American Revolution commissioned the reconstruction of one of the forts two blockhouses.  This blockhouse was built by Works Progress Administration crews based upon old photographs and sits on the archeologically determined correct location.  Although it is not located within the National Monument's boundaries, it sits nearby on Emery Highway and is visible from the McDougal Mound area.

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