This was written by Mr. William Mills specifically for Houston County List, he has given me permission to forward it on to other lists, and I think it might be of help those researching ancestors that passed through this area. From: "William A. Mills" <wm-mills@juno.com> << Houston County Researchers: About 8 years ago, when I was compiling my MILLS family history, I utilized the Migration Trails to try to figure out where my ancestors came from, and where they were heading. In Central GA, Perry is known as the "Crossroads of Georgia". This isn't just because of the contemporary criss-crossing of Highways 41 & 341. Prior to Houston County's formation in 1821, this area of the state of Georgia was occupied by Indians. And, these Indians utilized major trails to travel between their settlements and hunting camps. The primary 3 trails which crossed Houston Co., GA were: 1. THE PECATONICA TRAIL: It passed through the states of South Carolina, Georgia and Florida. It commenced at a connection of THE LOWER CHEROKEE TRADER'S PATH, about halfway between Spartanburg, SC and Atlanta, GA. From Atlanta, it proceeded South, just West of Macon, thru Perry, and then Americus, GA. It continued due South, and then crossed THE OLD TRADING PATH OF THE SOUTH about 75 miles south of Americus, and then proceeded to the East of Tallahassee, FL and directly to the Gulf of Mexico. 2. THE LOWER CREEK TRADING PATH: It passed through the states of Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia and South Carolina, passing through Birmingham, Macon, & Augusta, with important connections which went to Savannah and St. Augustine, Florida. In Georgia, it took an almost straight line from Augusta to Macon, and then proceeded Northwest and West into Alabama past Anniston and thru Birmingham. From there, it went into Mississippi. 3. THE MACON & MONTGOMERY TRAIL: This trail commenced at Macon, GA at a connection with THE LOWER CREEK TRADING PATH, then proceeded thru Perry and Columbus, GA into Montgomery, AL where it connected THE ALABAMA & MOBILE TRAIL and THE ALABAMA, CHOCTAW & NATCHEZ TRAIL. These Migration Trails followed the lines of least resistance which was always a valuable feature in transportation or travel. They also avoided rough, stony ground and dense undergrowth. Several of the current Interstate Highways substantially follow these exact Migration Trails. If there is enough interest, I may go into further detail of the various places in Georgia where these Migration Trails traversed. Because of the boundary changes of the Georgia counties, and the non-existence of many of the early towns, it would be best for me to refer to current cities and towns whereby these trails passed. If you know the places your ancestors came from prior to residing in Houston Co., GA, and then where they may have went after leaving here, you can bet that they utilized these Migration Trails, especially if it was prior to the railroads being built. It would be interesting for you to post to the Houston-L list, a brief outline of your ancestors' migration routes. For example, it may be something similar to: >NC > SC> Warren > Hancock > Twiggs > Houston > Muscogee Co., GA, and then into Alabama and Texas. I'll bet if you did this, you would collectively recognize a lot of patterns which would indicate other counties that you may need to research your ancestors in. Let's give it a try! William A. Mills Perry, GA wm-mills@juno.com >>