The Battle of Collierville

Fort Collierville
Ideas for Historical Preservation
What do we know?
The Town of Collierville was destroyed during the Civil War.
The center of Collierville during the Civil War was Mount Pleasant Road and Present day Poplar Ave.
The Rail Road line has not moved.
The Fort was 300 yards east of the Depot.
The Depot was a brick building with some unique characteristics north of the Rail Road.
The major battle involving Sherman was fought all along the RR Tracks and centered on the Fort.
Map that is available of the camp drawn by a Civil War Officer.

What we don’t know
Precisely where the Depot and Fort were located.
If we can determine where the Fort and Depot were using archeological evidence or historical documents.

What is needed to preserve a Battlefield in Collierville
   Land that was part of the battle.

 Land that is near the railroad and near the old town of Collierville.
   
 Land that has not been altered significantly since the 1860’s and that can be accessible to the public.

What we have in present day Collierville

Undeveloped land that was part of the Battle of Collierville and near the railroad tracks.
Undeveloped land that is .3 miles from the Town Square and .5 miles from the White Church with sidewalk access until last .1 mile.
Land that could be acquired and developed as a historical park without displacing any residents.
Undeveloped land east of Mount Pleasant Road and North of the railroad that correlates with the historical records we do have.
Earthen structure that could be former breastworks or part of the original fort that was damaged for fill dirt.
Old bricks that may have been part of the Depot.
A chance to preserve the last bit of remaining undeveloped land near the Town Square.
A strong local culture in favor of preservation with support structure.
An local economy tied in with the state’s emphasis on tourism.
Historic buildings in the general area and an historic cemetery with Civil War era graves.
A rich history in the Civil War with interesting and unique stories.
What would enhance passing our history on to future generations

A physical location dedicated to preserving the history of the Battle of Collierville.
A location that teaches where the center of town was at it’s founding.
A location that was part of the Battle of Collierville.
A location near the railroad tracks that is easily accessible.
Actions showing our appreciation that the largest battle fought during the Civil War in Shelby County was fought in Collierville.

Economic Benefits of a park dedicated to the Battle of Collierville

Tourism is the number one industry in Tennessee and the main reason we do not have a State Income Tax.
Civil War tourism is a Billion Dollar industry
Local sales tax revenue can be enhanced by Civil War tourism.
A Civil War attraction enhances the business climate for the Town Square and local restaurants. It can also help draw new business opportunities.
Enhanced cultural climate is a good selling point for any industry considering Collierville or the new tri-county industrial park.

What would a Civil War tourism package need to look like to draw tourists

A museum with artifacts and exhibits detailing Collierville in the Civil War.
A portion of the Battlefield dedicated as a park that is open to the public (preferably with the Fort site and Depot site verified with consensus).
A point of interest map locating historic. structures present during the Civil War.
An historic Cemetery with Civil War Graves.
Local historic markers about the Civil War.

What are other Towns doing

Provide broshures about their Civil War history. 

Most Towns have some level of effort under way to preserve their Civil War history.
Enhancing and preserving their Civil War history as part of their civic duty.
Helena AR is building a replica fort near where they know an original fort was.
Taking advantage of the reduced tensions between North and South that foster Civil War tourism.
Rediscovering and recognizing the value and unique opportunity to live in an area where the majority of battles were fought during the Civil War. This has historically been neglected in the South.
Germantown has a park with their Civil War Fort preserved.

Civil War era map
How to read a civil war map

The Civil War map of Collierville has indications that the direction North is opposite of the written inscription

Recent local developments regarding Civil War history

State sponsored Tennessee Civil War Trail historical markers.
Major Battle of Collierville Reenactment now an annual event http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=239138315647
Development of the White Church as a museum dedicated to the history of Collierville.
Website dedicated to the Battle of Collierville www.battleofcollierville.com
Local interest and media coverage in archeological study of site on Halley Road as possible Fort location.
2010 is the 150 year anniversary of the Civil War.

What can be done

Nonprofit 501C3- Either establish a new nonprofit organization or use a committee on an existing one to promote historical preservation, work on the project, and gather artifacts from local residents.
Gain support from local government and solicit corporate sponsorship.
Seek state and federal grants.
Have an archeological survey done on proposed battlefield park.
Continue research efforts- develop museum exhibit for the White Church.

In my opinion the location of the Train Depot and the  Fort during the Civil War is east of present day Mount Pleasant Road, and north of the railroad tracks.

John Weeks