FRANKLIN, Tenn. - The Tennessee Department of Tourist Development is pleased to
announce that the Franklin Gateway Marker is the first in the ground for Tennessee's
Civil War Trails program. The ceremony to unveil and install the marker was held at 9
a.m. on Sept. 17 in front of the Williamson County Historic Courthouse on the square.
This significant gateway marker acts as a map to other Civil War sites in the
Franklin/Williamson County area, which highlight Hood's 1864 Campaign.
FRANKLIN, Tenn. - The Tennessee Department of Tourist Development is pleased to
announce that the Franklin Gateway Marker is the first in the ground for Tennessee's
Civil War Trails program. The ceremony to unveil and install the marker was held at 9
a.m. on Sept. 17 in front of the Williamson County Historic Courthouse on the square.
This significant gateway marker acts as a map to other Civil War sites in the
Franklin/Williamson County area, which highlight Hood's 1864 Campaign.
Tourism Commissioner, Susan Whitaker, was joined by Tennessee Department of
Transportation Commissioner, Gerald Nicely, for the program and unveiling. The agenda
also included Williamson County Mayor Rogers Anderson, Franklin City Mayor John
Schroer, Mitch Bowman, executive director, Civil War Trails, Inc. and Dr. Van West,
director of the Tennessee Civil War National Heritage Area.
"This program will enable hundreds of thousands of Tennesseans and visitors from
around the world to experience and appreciate Tennessee's rich Civil War heritage as
well as preserve the integrity of these historic sites for future generations," said
Commissioner Susan Whitaker. "Not only is this program about historical education, but
this is also a tourism program that will create economic impact in the areas that have
these sites." Commissioner Gerald Nicely said, "It is gratifying to see the Civil War
Trails project launched with such enthusiasm in Williamson County." Nicely continued,
"It is always a pleasure to work with our partners at the Tennessee Department of Tourist
Development and our strategic partners around the state to promote tourism in
Tennessee."
The Civil War Trails is a multi-state program that identifies, interprets and creates driving
tours of both the great campaigns and the lesser-known Civil War sites. Tennessee joins
Virginia, North Carolina, Maryland, and West Virginia in this important initiative, which
has been identified by the National Trust for Historic Preservation as one of the most
successful and sustainable heritage tourism programs in the nation.
The Tennessee Department of Tourist Development was awarded a two-part federal
enhancement grant, totaling $1,080,720, which is an 80/20 match through the Tennessee
Department of Transportation to be a part of this very successful and nationally
recognized program. Subsequent markers will be installed throughout the week in
Franklin/Williamson County (13), Maury County (2), Giles County (1), and Sullivan
County (3). Additional markers will be installed in West Tennessee in late October.
For more information, contact Civil War Heritage Coordinator, Noell Rembert at (615)
532-8077 or by e-mail at Noell.Rembert@state.tn.us, or Lee Curtis, director of program
development at (615) 741-9045 or by e-mail at Lee.Curtis@state.tn.us.