Sullivan County leaders are hoping to bring tourists in by stirring the echoes of a Civil War skirmish.
The Battle of Blountville Civil War Memorial Park Executive Committee unveiled some designs and plans for a park that would basically encompass all of Blountville.
The park would highlight points of interest from the Battle of Blountville, which occurred September 22, 1863.
“This is going to be a park that is like a spider web, wandering through along the public right of ways, from points of interest to points of interest,” says committee chairman Tony Shipley, “so yes, essentially the entire town is the park, because the entire town was involved in the battle.”
Now, the committee is asking for the public’s help to fund the project, which could mean a return of big dollars for the county.
Shipley says being located right off of Interstate 81 gives Blountville an added advantage that many tourist towns do not have.
But more than money, Shipley says preserving the history of the battle would mean honoring the men who shed blood and gave their lives fighting here more than 150 years ago.
“Whether you agree with the South, or agree with the North, politics aside, it just doesn’t matter, it’s sacred ground,” says Shipley, “when somebody dies on it and fights for it, it’s sacred ground.”
If you would like to donate to help fund the Battle of Blountville Civil War Military Park, contact the Sullivan County Department of Archives and Tourism at 423-323-4660.
Copyright 2014 WJHL. All rights reserved.
Leave a Reply