Civil War Trails

Tennessee has invited all 95 counties to join the multi-state Civil War Trails program.
The initiative already is popular in Virginia, Maryland and North Carolina, and West Virginia also is joining the program.
Linda Lewanski, Tourism Director for Cocke County, says the Trails program is being promoted by the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development. "All of the counties have been asked to identify historic Civil War sites in their communities and a state grant will pay for 80 percent of the signage cost at each location," Lewanski said. State funding for the project comes from a grant of $537,420 from the Tennessee Department of Transportation.
The state has contracted with the Virginia Civil War Trails program to design, erect and maintain the signage. Each "trailblazer" sign is a four-color interpretive marker with a map, illustration and text of 250 to 300 words in length.
Each community will provide the 20 percent matching funds for the sign and then be responsible for maintaining the site itself.
The signs have already been installed at more than 700 previously unrecognized sites.
In 2001, the National Trust for Historic Preservation identified the Civil War Trails program as one of the most successful and sustainable heritage tourism programs in the nation. In addition the Federal Highway Administration has recognized the program's role in boosting local economies through tourism.
Lewanski said area residents who are familiar with a location that can be documented as a Civil War site, should contact the Tourism Office in their county.