photo by Kenneth Boone

Militia: Volunteers dressed as members of the Tennessee Militia, above, take part in Saturday’s Muster on the Tallapoosa event.

Park celebrates 50 years

By Brent Maze (Contact) | Dadeville Record

Published Thursday, August 27, 2009

Horseshoe Bend National Military Park celebrated its 50th anniversary a few days early.

The park located at the famous bend in the Tallapoosa River hosted about 1,150 people Saturday during its 10th annual Muster on the Tallapoosa.

“It was a great day,” said park guide Michael DiPaolo. “This is probably biggest turnout we’ve ever had for Muster on the Tallapoosa, when we celebrate our park’s anniversary.”

Horseshoe Bend National Military Park opened on Aug. 25, 1959 under President Dwight D. Eisenhower to commemorate one of the key battles during the Creek War.

To celebrate the park’s birthday, park officials invited guest speakers including Dr. Kathryn Braund and Dr. John Hall. DiPaolo said visitors packed into rooms to hear lectures from Braund and Hall.

A Tennessee Militia and Cherokee hunters set up camp throughout the day for visitors to stop by, see demonstrations and talk with the volunteers. The militia also demonstrated how they would have attacked the Red Sticks during the battle, including firing their muskets.

Militia members also discussed the effectiveness of the muskets and cannons during that era of warfare, topping it off by firing the cannon.

DiPaolo said each of the presenters did more than he expected.

“Muster on the Tallapoosa is usually geared toward a more academic setting, but militia and other demonstrators did more than I expected,” DiPaolo said.

Muster on the Tallapoosa County ends the event season for Horseshoe Bend National Military Park, which began with frontier days.

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