Developer halts plans after likely Civil War graves found

January 12, 2018 at 5:59 p.m. | Updated January 12, 2018 at 5:59 p.m.

by Associated Press

This is an engraving drawn by William Momberger and engraved by J.C. McRae. The date was 1863 and it was engraved expressly for Abbott's Civil War. Photo is 600dpi by Michael Poe.
This is an engraving drawn by William Momberger and engraved by J.C. McRae. The date was 1863 and it was engraved expressly for Abbott's Civil War. Photo is 600dpi by Michael Poe.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - Developers say they're halting plans for a project in Tennessee after archaeologists discovered what they believe are graves on a site near a Civil War fort built by slaves.

Cloud Hill Partnership said Friday its proposal for a commercial and residential development near Fort Negley in Nashville isn't viable anymore in part because the city ordered an archaeological study.

Mayor Megan Barry supported the development. She says plans should be reassessed to better honor those forced to build the fort.

The development site includes an unused baseball stadium. The study recommends protecting and reintegrating parts of the site into Fort Negley Park.

After Union forces occupied Nashville in 1862, more than 2,700 African-Americans helped build Fort Negley. About 600 to 800 died.

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