Native Americans used a foot trail for many years through Fort Benning territory, a trail that white settlers ultimately followed into Indian lands. Gradually, the trail became the heavily traveled Federal Road. In the early 1800's, U.S. troops, under Presidential orders, marched along the road as they removed Indians from the area.

Neighbors were often miles away for the pioneers who came after the Indians. Largely self-sufficient, the settlers grew corn, wheat, and cotton. Rural gristmills were their gathering spots at harvest time. Archeologists recently studied remnants of one early mill on Fort Benning. A small hamlet called Eelbeck developed around the mill with homes, a post office, and a store.

to front page of Fort Benning Brochure