CHATTAHOOCHEE RIVER LINE BATTLEFIELD PRESERVATION PLAN

CHATTAHOOCHEE RIVER LINE BATTLEFIELD PRESERVATION PLAN COBB COUNTY, GEORGIA Thomason and Associates Preservation Planners Nashville, Tennessee

Chattahoochee River Line Battlefield Preservation Plan Importance of Preserving Civil War Sites Economic Benefits of Battlefield Preservation Overview of the Chattahoochee River Line What is a Battlefield Preservation Plan and its Benefits? Project Schedule

Secretary of the Interior s Civil War Sites Advisory Committee Report, 1993 One-third of the nation s Civil War battlefields have been lost or significantly compromised. Many of the remaining two-thirds of the nation s battlefields will be at risk. 43% of the battlefields are completely in private ownership. 49% are under multiple kinds of ownership (e.g., private, state, and Federal). Only 4% of the principal battlefields are owned primarily by the Federal, state, or local governments.

Secretary of the Interior s Civil War Sites Advisory Committee Report, 1993 Some 10,500 armed conflicts occurred during the Civil War ranging from battles to minor skirmishes; 384 conflicts (3.7 percent) were identified as the principal battles and classified according to their historical significance. 71 or 19% of the Civil War battlefields are already lost as intact historic landscapes. 50% of the principal battlefields that currently are in good or fair condition are now experiencing high or moderate threats. Most of these sites will be lost or seriously fragmented within the coming 10 years. Only one third of the principal battlefields in 1993 faced low threats.

In 2010 the Civil War Trust (CWT) estimated that at the current rates of development and due to rapidly increasing land prices, our nation loses approximately one acre of battlefield ground every hour. The CWPT calculates that the fate of the remaining unprotected ground will be determined within the next five to fifteen years, depending on its location.

Update on Georgia s Battlefields in 2010 State has 27 battlefields which historically encompassed 231,500 acres 72,200 acres, or 31%, survive with integrity. Only 17,700 acres (8%) of the state s battlefields are protected by governments or non-profit organizations. The River Line is part of the Marietta Battlefield which is categorized as Altered and fragmented, leaving some essential features.

Bristoe Station, VA Battlefield

Bristoe Station, VA Battlefield Walking Trail and Viewshed

Manassas Battlefield, Virginia

Salem Church Battlefield, Virginia Chancellorsville Campaign

Response to Loss of Battlefield Land Creation of the American Battlefield Protection Program on the Federal level. Creation of state government programs such as the Georgia Civil War Commission. Specific allocations for federal and state funds to purchase battlefield property. Creation of national, state and local non-profit organizations for preservation of Civil War sites (Georgia Battlefields Association, Civil War Trust). Increased public information efforts from Civil War community (re-enactors, SCV, UDC, GAR).

American Battlefield Protection Program Act of 1996 The purpose is to assist citizens, public and private institutions, and governments at all levels in planning, interpreting, and protecting sites where historic battles were fought on American soil during the armed conflicts that shaped the growth and development of the United States, in order that present and future generations may learn and gain inspiration from the ground where Americans made their ultimate sacrifice.

American Battlefield Protection Program Act of 1996 To act quickly and proactively to preserve and protect nationally significant Civil War battlefields through conservation easements and fee-simple purchases of those battlefields from willing sellers; and to create partnerships among State and local governments, regional entities, and the private sector to preserve, conserve, and enhance nationally significant Civil War battlefields.

Independent two-year study released in 2006 documented the economic benefits of battlefield preservation. Survey of 13 battlefields across the country. Battlefields attract affluent, well-educated tourists who come specifically to visit the battlefield. While in the area these tourists stay longer and spend more money than the average tourist. Each year Civil War tourists spend an average of $173.6 million dollars resulting in $15.3 million in state tax and $7.7 million in local tax revenues.

Economic Benefits of the Kennesaw Mountain Battlefield During 2005, visitors to the Kennesaw Mountain Battlefield spent $18.2 million in the local area. The largest expenditure categories were food (44%) and lodging (24%). Visitor expenditures supported 448 full-time job equivalents in the area surrounding the battlefield. Local Government Revenue generated in 2005: $912,000 State Government Revenue: $1,255,000

Purpose of Battlefield Preservation Plans Provide comprehensive long-range strategies to effectively preserve, maintain, and interpret battlefields, fortifications and associated sites for future generations. Provide guidance for historic preservation and land acquisition. Recommend site management, and battlefield interpretation. Suggest strategies for tourism development and increased visitation. Strategize short-term and long-term goals.

Battlefield Preservation Plans Historical Research and Analysis Cultural Landscape Assessment and Evaluations of Integrity Threats and Opportunities Prioritization of Parcels to Acquire Recommendations for Interpretation Opportunities for Regional Tourism Potential for Reclamation Sources of Assistance

Saltville, Virginia Battlefield and Fortifications Preservation Plan

Harper s Weekly, January 14, 1865, View of the Lower Salt Works

Saltville Battlefield, October, 1864

Saltville Battlefield December, 1864

Chestnut Ridge and Battlefield Park

Saltville Gap Redoubt

Fort Hatton

Fort Hatton South Redoubt and Connecting Trench Line

Walnut Street Forts, Upper Redoubt

Salt Wells and Furnaces Site

BATTLEFIELD ENHANCEMENTS

Existing park area and interpretation Salt Park

Existing park area and interpretation - Saltville Battlefield Park

Install wayside exhibits

Proposed walking trail design and surfaces

Install cannon at forts and battery locations

TOURISM PROMOTION

Commemoration of the 5 th and 6 th USCT, October 2, 2004

Battle of Saltville, reenactment, 2006

Reclamation Franklin, Tennessee Battlefield Plan Confederate General John Bell Hood Union General John Schofield

Glorified Suicide at the Cotton Gin

Center of the Confederate Assault

Demolition of Pizza Hut, November 30, 2005

New Commemorative Park on Pizza Hut Site

The Next Victim

East Flank of Battlefield, Purchase of Golf Course/Club Restoration of 1864 Landscape

Opportunities for the River Line Battlefield Potential for Increased Tourism and Recreation at Henderson Road and Discovery Boulevard Park Property Potential for Land Protection of Additional Parcels Through Purchase or Easement Excellent Interpretive Opportunities Regional Tourism Promotion and Coordination

Challenges for the River Line Battlefield High Cost of Land A Finite Amount of Intact Battlefield Property Lack of River Line Interpretation at Regional Museums Lack of Local Public Awareness Need for Continuity in Tours and Exhibits

River Line Battlefield Nine Known Existing Shoupades pn Public and Private Land Five are Publicly Owned, Four Private Extensive Union Fortifications on Henderson Road Property Confederate Trench Line, Shoupade and Fort on Discovery Blvd. Property

Privately Owned Shoupade

Extensive Confederate Trench Lines Connecting Shoupades

Georgia Militia Fort off Veterans Memorial Hwy

Union Trench Line on Henderson Road Property

Union Artillery Fort on Henderson Road Property

Confederate Trench Line, Discovery Blvd.

Confederate Anchor Fort, Discovery Blvd.

Telling the River Line Story Fortifications Built by African- American Labor Unique Design of the Fortifications and Shoupades Importance in the Atlanta Campaign Impact on Local Population

The River Line and Georgia Slavery

The River Line and African American s Construction of Civil War Fortifications

The River Line and Impact on Cobb County Residents

Protecting and Interpreting the River Line Working with Property Owners on Financial Incentives Creation of Archeological and Landscape Protection Program More Interpretation in Regional Museums Driving Tours of Publically Accessible Sites Installation of Wayside Exhibits and Interpretive Media Providing New Recreational Opportunities for Residents

Interpretation of the Atlanta Campaign

Atlanta History Center, Cross Section of Confederate Trench and Fortifications

Summary River Line Battlefield Identified as Significant Civil War Site in Georgia Mableton Improvement Coalition Awarded ABPP Grant to Create River Line Battlefield Preservation Plan July - November 2013, Analysis and Plan Production Plan Will Provide Guidance for Future Protection, Interpretation and Promotion Battlefield will be a Historical, Economic and Recreational Asset to Cobb County and Region for the Future

THOMASON AND ASSOCIATES PRESERVATION PLANNERS NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE www.thomasonandassociates.com thomason@bellsouth.net