Franklin!!! GREAT NEWS

[biggumbo]

This will be my big preservation contribution for the 2012, and I will be there to see that wrecking ball swing. Multiple organizations and dedicated individuals deserve a lot of thanks and praise for working to take back this battlefield.

[Jim Moffet]

This is indeed great news. I would love to see a reconstruction of the cotton gin on that site. For that matter, I'd love to see most of the residential and commercial buildings along that short stretch of the Columbia Pike removed and Highway 6 re-routed. A pipe dream, I know...but one can certainly hope.

And since the land has already been permanently altered by the development, create a border-to-border stretch of authentic reproduction Federal entrenchments. Like 100 yards. Then folks could visualize how it all happened.

Jim Moffet

[CompanyWag]

And since the land has already been permanently altered by the development, create a border-to-border stretch of authentic reproduction Federal entrenchments. Like 100 yards. Then folks could visualize how it all happened.

Jim Moffet

Jim,

Looking at their website, I guess that is what they are planning around the reconstructed gin. Simply, it would be satisfying to return the immediate surrounding area to the 19th century landscape. But this is a moot point as it ain't gonna happen...not in my lifetime at least.

In my old stomping grounds of Rockton Illinois, traces of the historic 1830's village of Macktown had nearly vanished. Only a primitive limestone trading post and an early Greek Revival house remained...the rest had been obliterated by a local golf course. In the last five years, the country club was persuaded to relocate two holes so that archeology could be performed and the interpretive area of the village could be expanded. There is talk about doing some reconstruction of certain buildings, but the important thing is that the site has been preserved despite the extensive golf course landscaping. In the case of Franklin, that is really the best I can hope for.

I've logged on and made my contribution and encourage others to continue to do so as well.

[dixieflyer]

Paul & Jim,
As I understand it, the plan is to reconstruct the cotton gin and the Federal trenches there. That is what I got while getting a walking tour from a friend of mine who is involved with Carnton/Carter House/preservation efforts there. As to when, well . . . I wouldn't get in a hurry, but I wouldn't say not in your lifetime either.

[CompanyWag]

Warren,

Actually I'm quite optimistic the site will get preserved and even the gin reconstructed. (Sometimes I get a little nervous when I hear the word reconstruction. I've seen some reconstructions done very convincingly using period materials and solid research...others...well not so much.) My pessimism was referring to the fantasy of a wider effort returning the surrounding developed area back to its 19th century landscape. Otherwise the gin site may end up something like Salem Church in Fredricksburg VA; a small historic parcel surrounded by modern intrusions. But that is far better than a Dominos Pizza and a strip mall as it currently is. Maybe a wider effort could happen in the future with enough money and interest, but not in my lifetime.

[coastaltrash]

Paul,
There are a lot of dedicated people working to make this happen on the ground. All the support that can pump in is without a doubt needed.

[GWagner]

Vets of Company B 2nd Mississippi Cav at the 1914 Reunion of Battle of Franklin gathered at Bennett & Campbell Hardware on Main Street

[coastaltrash]

2nd Mississippi? Cav?

[GWagner]

Fixed for you. Yep...Cav

[slickdogshep]

Donation sent.