Georgia Civil War Heritage Trails

Georgia Civil War Heritage Trails ®

The Civil War, or War Between the States, changed Georgia forever. Its impact on Georgia was greater than any other event, hurricane, or sporting spectacular. Approximately 11,000 Georgians were killed between 1861 and 1865, while 460,000 others were emancipated by the War’s outcome. Georgia Civil War Heritage Trails^® (“GCWHT”) interprets Georgia ’s Civil War era along its historic routes, while leading visitors on an experience back in time. Indeed the drives themselves, along many of the same roads once used by soldiers wearing blue or gray, are as significant to understanding Georgia ’s importance during the War as are the “interpretive markers.” GCWHT also highlights various preservation opportunities, with many scenic and cultural benefits.

Georgia Civil War Heritage Trails divides the state into six regions, each designating an area or major event from Georgia ’s “Civil War era.” The “Atlanta Campaign” and “March to the Sea” were Georgia ’s two most significant Civil War “events.” Thus these two “historic driving routes” or “trails” are being created first. Next to be developed is the route Confederate President Jefferson Davis rode in his attempt to evade Federal capture in May 1865. Yet many more topics are interpreted along each route, including the roles of women, African-Americans, hospitals, churches, and railroads. Each interpretive marker is “linked” by a route to national & state parks, museums, and other Civil War heritage attractions. And coming soon, visitors can obtain full-color brochures of each region, available at visitor centers throughout Georgia . Each brochure is produced by GCWHT’s volunteer citizen committees, with assistance from the Tourism Division of the Georgia Department of Economic Development.

The educational benefits of Georgia Civil War Heritage Trails are many. Through a multi-level “History Committee”, with representatives from the National Park Service, Georgia State Parks , colleges and universities, plus numerous local historians, the content of every GCWHT interpretive marker is checked and re-checked. Documentation is required, and all markers include a map, photographs and/or Civil War era drawings, to help history “come alive.” Each interpretive marker is constructed featuring the same design used by the National Park Service, with a long-term maintenance program. Most interpretive markers are installed adjacent to public parking. If not, GCWHT coordinates with the Georgia Department of Transportation, local jurisdictions and landowners to build public parking for several cars and at least one bus. Such features are great for individuals, families, school field trips and tour groups.

Georgia Civil War Heritage Trails is a 501c3 tax-exempt non-profit corporation. Guided by a volunteer Board of Trustees composed of talented Georgians, GCWHT is committed to the principle of local volunteer citizen involvement and decision-making authority. Each community has its own unique heritage. GCWHT merely coordinates the many participating local communities, providing its expertise to help create and manage the overall program.

With the awarding of federal Transportation Enhancement funds, supported by the State of Georgia and about 100 local communities, GCWHT has begun erecting thousands of its colorful highway directional “trailblazer” signs, and over 130 new interpretive markers, at historic locations stretching from the mountain of Northwest Georgia, through metropolitan Atlanta, to the Atlantic coast, and from Northeast Georgia’s foothills to South Georgia’s piney woods. We invite you to drive Georgia Civil War Heritage Trails, and to visit many of the places where history was made. If you stop, look and listen long enough, you might even hear a distant Rebel Yell, or glimpse Old Glory in the heat of battle. But you will certainly learn why Georgia and her citizens were keys to the War that shaped America ’s greatness!