Although I have driven past this location several times a week for years, I was unaware of it's historical significance until I finally stopped to take a look at this lonely spot. Located across the street from the Falcon's Training Camp in Flowery Branch, it is easy to ignore as you travel down the road. From the stoplight, it looks like a long forgotten cemetery.

What caught my eye and made me stop was a stone with what appeared to be a bronze plaque attached to it. Since I could not read the plaque from the street, I had to pull off the side of the road and walk back to get a closer look.

On the plaque were these words: "This boulder markes the trail of Andrew Jackson and his troops who rested here for the night in 1818. Erected by the Col. WM. Candler Chapter DAR, 1928"

I was curious so I set myself the task of finding out more. Some easy searching on the internet pointed me to the Archives of Hall County where I found that General Andrew Jackson had indeed traveled through the county in 1818. He passed through a settlement called Limestone Springs and a second town then known as Mule Camp Springs, but today is known to us as Gainesville, Georgia. Mule Camp Springs was later renamed in honor of Edmond Pendleton Gaines, a general in the War of 1812.

Andrew Jackson later became the seventh President of the United States (1829-1837). His face can be found on the $20 bill. In 1818 he was most likely heading to Florida to fight the Seminole Indians with his troops.

Upon a little more investigation of this site I also noted several burial plots with the remains of Civil War veteran. Some of these names I have yet researched, but all in all, a very interesting stop in a busy day.

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