Chickamauga and Chattanooga Administrative History

CHAPTER II:
WAR DEPARTMENT ADMINISTRATION (continued)

B. Park Development

Almost from the beginning park efforts were geared towards development of the fields into a conceptually integrated unit of lands and roads that sensibly conveyed the progress of the various battles commemorated by the park. To that end, work was devoted to restoring the fields to their appearance in 1863, with "no work . . . done for purely decorative purposes." Only lines and structures that had figured importantly in the fighting and had since been destroyed were to be restored to their earlier condition. [53] From 1890 to 1892, besides purchasing the necessary land parcels, the commissioners concentrated on laying out and building roads and appropriate entrances into the park. In 1892, the heavy underbrush and timber were removed on the field at Chickamauga, thereby permitting greater ease in determining battle positions. The old roads on the battlefield, those present in 1863, were located and reopened. "Over ten miles of the main roads . . . have been rebuilt in a substantial manner, five miles more are graded and are being surfaced, and a heavy force is engaged in prosecuting this portion of the work," reported Commissioner Kellogg. [54] Plans were made to continue road construction along the crest of Missionary Ridge so that the drive through Chickamauga Park north to the Chattanooga area would approximate twenty-two miles. [55] Substantial appropriations by Congress financed these operations through the 1890s. [56] Two paramount objectives of the Commission during this period comprised the acquisition of the property along Missionary Ridge where General Sherman's troops were engaged on November 25, 1863, and the area below the summit of Lookout Mountain where on November 24, 1863, the battle between Union and Confederate forces grew most severe. The latter goal was achieved on March 3, 1893, when the area surrounding the Cravens House became Lookout Mountain Battlefield Park. The house itself was purchased by the government in September, 1896, from heirs of the Cravens family. [57] In Chattanooga arrangements were completed for the purchase of the land around Orchard Knob, and by September, 1895, the site was rapidly being prepared for the dedication, the work involving erection of a flagpole, and placement of six field pieces and several iron interpretive tablets. [58]

Similar work ensued. In 1897 the Lookout Mountain battlefield was cleared of underbrush and paths built for the access of visitors. Historical tablets were placed designating artillery, brigade, and division positions. [59] Two years later a private photographic parlor was established for lease at Point Park, above Lookout Mountain battlefield, perhaps the earliest cognate enterprise to be associated with the national military park. [60] Restrictions were placed on the establishment, with construction and location of the photographer's booth to be approved by the Park Engineer, "the rent to be payable monthly in advance, and the surroundings to be kept scrupulously clean." [61]

By 1901 the Commission was confident that the establishment of Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park would be completed soon. Seven construction jobs yet needed attention:

1 . The final improvement of Point Park on the summit of Lookout Mountain when the New York monument shall have been erected . . . .

2. The completion of the paving of gutters of the main roads of the Park where such work is needed for the permanent preservation of the roads. . . .

3. The completion of the fencing of the Park. . . .

4. The preparation and erection of tablets to preserve the history of Generals Hooker's and Longstreet's operations in Lookout Valley; the co-operative movements of General W.F. Smith at Brown's Ferry; the battle at Ringgold; the remaining Confederate Battery tablets for Missionary Ridge and those for Orchard Knob; a few for the approach leading from Reed's Bridge to Ringgold; a few from the Union engagement at the opening of the battle of September 19 on the Confederate left at Glass' Mill; those needed to cover the movements of Bragg's army after it had withdrawn from Chattanooga beyond Lee and Gordon's Mill, and established its headquarters at LaFayette until the opening of the battle of Chickamauga; and lastly those needed to indicate the establishment of the lines of the Union Army at Rossville during the night succeeding the second day's battle at Chickamauga. These positions will require in the aggregate from 85 to 100 historical tablets. A few more gun carriages will be needed for battery positions, the guns for which have been procured.

5. Considerable work remains in removing timber killed during the occupation of the Park by the troops during the War with Spain, and in the final leveling of sinks.

6. A bridge is now needed for the Lafayette road at Lee and Gordon's Mill.

7. There is considerable work remaining in the shape of conferences with State Commissions as to the exact locations of their monuments upon the Brigade lines which have all been ascertained. [62]

One of the cornerstones of the park was Orchard Knob, headquarters for Generals Grant, Thomas, and Granger during the battle of Chattanooga. In early 1901, the site was enclosed by a stone wall with decorative gates. The surrounding streets, now maintained by the federal government, were perfected and numerous state monuments erected within the reserve. [63] Also in 1901 additional land was purchased on Missionary Ridge at the left of the Union assault and an observation tower scheduled for erection there. Another tract of almost fifty acres (Sherman Reservation) was bought at the extreme north end of the ridge, and the Confederate batteries there restored and tablets erected on the site. Likewise, the location of General Bragg's headquarters was acquired and a steel observation tower put up to command a sweeping view of the entire park. [64]

Despite the optimism of the Commissioners for soon finishing the establishment, yearly appropriations continued. Between 1900 and 1903 over $240,000 was allotted the park. [65] Later appropriations were more specific; in 1906, for example, $4,500 was allocated "for a reinforced concrete bridge over Pea Vine Creek, Georgia, on the road from Reed's bridge to Ringgold. . . ," and in 1907 $5,000 was allocated "for a steel bridge over East Chickamauga Creek on the Ringgold road. . . ." [66]

Usually the park reported a deficiency of funds that required additional appropriations for adjustment. But work went forward rapidly and thirteen years after its creation, Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park had made great strides. A recapitulation of development prepared in 1903 reported that the park then embraced 6,965 acres, contained 110 1/2 miles of roads (both "ordinary" and "improved"), and included six observation towers, 370 distance and locality tablets, 16 state monuments, 235 regimental monuments, 111 batteries mounted, 268 guns in batteries, 709 historical tablets, 432 state markers, and 23 shell markers. [67] Visitation to the park was constantly growing; in 1906 the Commission reported that an estimated 250,000 people had come to view the battlefields. [68]

One major construction project was the development of Point Park. Between 1904 and 1905 a monumental entrance and stone fence was erected there, consisting of "two battlemented observation towers 33 feet 8 inches high, connected by a cordeled and crenelated wall, to which is built the buttress portal, and containing an arch entrance 12 feet wide and 10 feet high to be used as a carriage entrance into the park." Total cost of the improvement was approximately $14,000. [69]

During the early years of the twentieth century a number of agreements were entered into between the park and local facilities. In 1906, the East Tennessee Telephone Company received a license to raise poles and wires through the park in return for free service at the Chattanooga Commissioner's office and at Fort Oglethorpe. (A similar agreement was executed in 1915 with the Cumberland Telephone and Telegraph Company.) [70] In 1910 the War Department issued a revocable license on request of two women, Mrs. Z.C. Patten and Mrs. D.P. Montague, for a tea house to be opened in the G.W. Kelley House on LaFayette Road in the park. Initially this facility was to be "a resting place for ladies visiting the park," but the "Chickamauga Park Rest House and Tea Room " evidently catered to both sexes. The establishment was operated by Lucy K. Powell. [71] The photographic concession set up on Lookout Mountain flourished and in 1914 a license was granted the Water Company of Chattanooga for laying pipe in the park. [72]

Preservation of the numerous park structures that had existed at the time of the battles became an ongoing concern for the Commission. In 1910 the commissioners directed Betts to "keep in repair, with like dimensions and material," all of the old structures, among them the Kelley House and barn, the Brotherton, Snodgrass, Vittetoe, and Cravens houses. [73] As was indicated in the rental of the Kelley House, the commission supported adaptive use of the historic structures.

Park maintenance also involved clearing away underbrush, mowing around monuments in the park and at the separate reservations, and cleaning up after storms damaged the area. In 1910 a wooden water tank, erected above Halls' Ford in 1898 to serve Camp George H. Thomas, was dismantled as a safety precaution. [74] Typical of such maintenance work was that reported by the Commission in 1915:

Considerable progress was made during the year in clearing the forests of underbrush, mowing the fields, and opening up the lines of battle in Chickamauga Park. This work has been pushed forward as rapidly as the allotment of funds for the purpose would permit. The opening up of the forests and the elimination of underbrush, weeds, and dense thickets is believed to be essential as a protection against forest fires.

Owing to the rapid growth of the city of Chattanooga the small reservations located in the Tennessee Division are taking on more and more the nature of city parks and the expense of maintaining them is steadily increasing. The total expenditure for field work during the year was $6,226.18. [75]

One project proposed by the Commission in 1915 called for the photographic recording of all monuments and markers in the park so that changes over time could be recognized. The Commissioners hoped that the results of the project would be compiled in book form "not only for reference but for the information of the Department and the public." [76] Another project concerned the erection of a "public comfort building" at Point Park on Lookout Mountain. [77] Such a facility was not to be built for many years, however, despite a heavy increase in visitation there that stood above 100,000 people by 1930. [78]