Ford's Fort
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HistoryDuring the War of 1812 and the Creek Indian War of 1813 settlers on the Mississippi frontier increasingly faced hostile Indian attacks instigated by the British. In August 1813 John Ford reported the erection of a stockade and other defenses at his house. Ford built the fortified enclosure to provide the Ford family and their neighbors with refuge in times of Indian alarms. His defense came to be known as John Ford’s Fort. The defense was built as a high wooden palisade surrounding his house, and spaced about fifty feet from the house.  .jpeg) John Ford hosted General Andrew Jackson on 27 Nov 1814 at his home/ fort as Jackson was on his way to defend New Orleans. Major Howell Tatum who was on Jacksons' staff recorded the arrival on the 27th and the departure on the next day at 9 o'clock. Parts of Ford's stockade reportedly survived into the twentieth century but the refuge was probably not used for defense after the end of the War of 1812. Some indications of the stockade location can be seen as depressions in the earth around the house.
Current StatusThe home is preserved by the Marion County Historical Society and is currently (Oct 2020) undergoing extensive repairs from wind damage done during a 19 Apr 2020 EF-3 tornado. The tornado did not directly impact the home but high winds associated with it damaged the roof and siding and caused the structure to lean dangerously. Temporary supports were put in place first and internal framing was later installed to provide internal stabilization. A new metal roof system had been installed just prior to our visit on 5 Oct 2020.     The home was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1971. A least two different roadside markers are in place, Marker #1 is in Sandy Hook, Mississippi at the intersection of State Highway 35 and Rankin Creek Road. Marker #2 is in Foxworth, Mississippi at the intersection of U.S. 98 and State Highway 35.
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Visited: 5 Oct 2020
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