Plans march ahead for Civil War anniversary

By Jimmy Espy

Correspondent

Northwest Georgia played a crucial role in the War Between the States. A century and half later, region residents hope that history pays off.

The sesquicentennial of the Civil War begins in earnest in 2011, but government and business leaders already are planning how to capitalize on a potential surge in historical tourism.

"We recognize that this region is rich in Civil War history, attractions and sites," said Janet Cochran, Northwest Georgia's regional tourism representative for the state's Department of Economic Development. "We don't want our efforts to conflict with what people are doing in other parts of the region. Instead, we want to be able to work together and cross-promote in our collective marketing area."

Based in Dalton, Ga., Ms. Cochran helps coordinate tourism efforts in a 17-county region, including Catoosa, Dade, Walker and Whitfield.

She is one of the founding members of the Tri-State Civil War 150th Commemoration Association, a non-profit organization established to maximize Civil War-related tourism opportunities in Northwest Georgia, Southeast Tennessee and Northwest Alabama.

Ms. Cochran said the organization is currently seeking 501(c)3 tax-exempt status with the Internal Revenue Service and also is developing a Web site that she hopes will "serve as a portal to everything that's going on."

The Web site could be up as soon as January, she said, adding that it is important to plan early.

"A lot of tourism-related businesses are already planning what they will offer customers next year," she said. "For instance, in the group travel business, tour operators may want to sell tours with a Civil War focus, but they need to know in advance what's going on so they can make arrangements for things like travel and hotel rooms."

Ms. Cochran said the association is not a content provider.

"It's up to the individual communities, attractions and sites to come up with events," she said. "We're not trying to reinvent the wheel.

"What we want to do is serve as a portal for information. Anyone interested will be able to come to our site, find out what's happening and then branch out and find out more about what they're interested in."

Whitfield County is one of the Northwest Georgia counties hoping to reap the benefits of historical tourism. The county has several places of interest, from the 150-plus year old train tunnel in Tunnel Hill to the site of the fierce fighting on Rocky Face Ridge.

As for the 150th anniversary of the Civil War, "We're still in the early planning stages," said Debby Long, director of services for the Dalton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Ms. Long helped start a sesquicentennial planning committee made up of local residents with knowledge of the county's Civil War history. The group is helping identify possible activities and events that could highlight the county's history, promote education and draw tourists, she said.

"We want to do more than just re-enactments of battles," said Ms. Long. "Fortunately, Dalton has a rich history, things like the Great Locomotive Chase, the Great Snowball Fight and the famous speech that Jefferson Davis made during the war at Tunnel Hill."

Whitfield County already receives benefits from historical tourism.

The annual re-enactment of the Battle of Tunnel Hill in the fall brings in several hundred tourists, as does the Battle of Resaca, held annually in the spring, just over the county line in Gordon County.

On Feb. 6-7, the Northwest Georgia Trade and Convention Center will host the Great Chickamauga Southern Civil War Show and Sale, another annual event.