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IN THEIR SITES
Group sees gold in state's Civil War heritage
By James Palmer
The Macon Telegraph
T he South is often accused of living in the past. But if one group has its way, a Southern-fried version of "Back to the Future" can mean big bucks for this part of Georgia.
"It can be a tremendous economic boom," Oliver Keller said. "This is a gold mine."
| DEDICATION CEREMONY | |
| There will be a dedication ceremony at 12:30 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 21, at the Griswoldville Battlefield. The dedication will be preceded by a walking tour of nearby Old Clinton, which will start at 10 a.m. The event is free and open to the public.
| |
"This is a clean industry, which almost costs nothing," said Keller.
"It's good, clean Yankee money," said Marilyn Gilhuly, who chairs the commission. She's kidding, sort of, although she did refer to Union Gen. William Sherman as a "thug."
But they do hope Georgia is on the brink of an expanded tourist industry pegged on the Civil War that will draw visitors not only from around the country but around the world. And if that does come true, Macon and Middle Georgia will reap the benefits.
Keller and Gilhuly live in metro Atlanta, and lament the little evidence left there of the Civil War. But they're excited about the possibilities for Macon, in large part because of the many old homes that remain from that period and Macon's effort to promote itself as a historic city.
"Macon is a beautiful place to be," Keller said. "There are knock-out places there."
And now Macon is also near a Civil War battlefield that's been saved through the efforts of the commission. About 18 acres of the Griswoldville battlefield were purchased last June. There will be a dedication ceremony Saturday, Nov. 21, at the site, which now falls under the Department of Natural Resources, Division of Parks and Historic Sites.
"Definitely, I think this is a good thing. I'm so glad the Georgia Civil War Commission has taken this on as a project," said Anne Hamilton, one of the organizers of Old Clinton War Days, which recreates the Battle of Griswoldville.
| GEORGIA BATTLEFIELDS ASSOCIATION | |
| The Georgia Battlefields Association was formed in 1995. It's a nonprofit affiliate of the Georgia Civil War Commission. Its first meeting was held in Macon in January 1997. Funds raised by the organization go toward helping the commission in its preservation efforts. Members receive the monthly newsletter Georgia Battlefields.There's is an annual membership fee of $20. To join, contact Georgia Battlefields, 500 The Healy Building, 57 Forsyth St. NW, Atlanta, GA 30303. | |
"The point we want to get over to the people of Macon is you have a beautiful city, and people who care about the Civil War should care about Macon, and now you've got your own battlefield," said Keller.
The battle of Griswoldville happened on Nov. 21-22, 1864. It was the only infantry battle during Sherman's march south of Atlanta. It's significant now because it's the first land acquisition by the commission. They hope it's the first step in a series of Civil War-related sites between here and the coast that will fuel the tourist industry.
Janice Marshall, director of the local convention and visitors bureau, thinks the potential is there.
"Both the leisure market and group tours are interested in this kind of themed experience," she said. "We're always looking for new and interesting ways to position Macon. There are already (Civil War tour) trails in north Georgia. This is a natural to expand the experience out of north Georgia."
Keller and Gilhuly get very excited talking about the possibilities, which apparently comes from a deeper passion for what they're trying to do. They represent a distinguished group of people who are appointed to serve on the commission by the governor, lieutenant governor and speaker of the house.
Gilhuly has had a long involvement in a number of history-based societies and associations, among them being a charter member of the U.S. Civil War Center. Keller has served as secretary of the Florida Department of Health & Rehabilitative Services as well as U.S. parole commissioner for the Southeast and is a member of the National Appeals Board.
Other members include W. Todd Groce, executive director of the Georgia Historical Society; Eugene Hatfield, professor of history at Clayton State College; former state representative John Carlisle; and Tommy Barber Jr., an associate professor of history at DeKalb College who is a member of the Sons of Confederate Veterans and serves on the board of advisers to the Civil War Institute at Shenandoah University and is a member of the Civil War Education Association.
But there are obstacles, most notably a slim budget of $31,000 per year. That means lots of volunteered hours and fund-raising efforts. The money to buy the land at Griswoldville came from a combination of sources, including the Association for the Preservation of Civil War Sites, the Peyton-Anderson Foundation, the Turner Foundation, the Community Foundation of Central Georgia, the Reichert Family Fund, and individuals, most notably David Cason of Thomaston, who donated $28,000.
The commission is also working on buying 1,200 acres of the battlefield at Resaca, the first major battle of the Atlanta Campaign. It's also buying 4.75 acres of the New Hope Church battlefield and is working with the State Parks and Historic Sites Division to obtain 14 acres of nearby battlefield.
The commission publishes a monthly newsletter, Georgia Battlefields, in association with the Georgia Battlefields Association Inc., and distributes a tourist flyer, Presence of the Past, as well as a Georgia Civil War tour guide "Crossroads of Conflict."
The commission conducts quarterly meetings around the state that are open to the public. The next meeting will be next Saturday at the Windsor Hotel in Americus. It's also recently created a website, www.ganet.org/civilwar , that provides information on the commission, its members and on-going projects.
To get to the Griswoldville battlefield site, take U.S. 80 east to Ga. 57 toward Gordon. Turn left onto Henderson Road. Go about 1 1/4 miles and turn onto Griswoldville Road, just before Henderson Road cross train tracks. This portion of Griswoldville Road is unmarked. Go about 1 1/2 miles to Baker Road. Turn left and look for the battlefield site on the left.
 Southern forces suffered resounding defeat at Griswoldville | |
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