Construction of this road, ordered by General Andrew Jackson, began in May 1817 by troops of the U.S. Army for national defense purposes. Beginning near Nashville, Tennessee, and continuing to Madison, Louisiana, it shortened the distance from Nashville to New Orleans by 200 miles. The road followed early Native American trails used by Jackson's army during the War of 1812. It served as a major transportation route for early settlers of North Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and the Old Southwest Territory.