Plan for Franklin battlefield park moving forward

Friday, August 15, 2014, Vol. 38, No. 33

FRANKLIN (AP) — Plans to turn a Civil War site into a park in Middle Tennessee are moving forward.

The Tennessean (http://tnne.ws/1sWaCyN) reports park supporters are now aiming to clear debris from the area where the Battle of Franklin took place so that a team of archaeologists can search the site for artifacts and learn more about the history of the property.

The move comes after the project remained stalled for months due to a dispute over moving a historic home from the property.

A crew of house movers arrived at the property Tuesday to haul away the last section of the 130-year-old home, which had to be split in two in order to move. The first section was moved in early May.

Supporters want to build a 20-acre Civil War park at the location called Carter's Hill Park. They hope the upcoming 150th anniversary of the battle will give the project more momentum.

The Nov. 30, 1864 battle claimed more than 8,000 lives.

"I think that battlefield reclamation in Franklin has exceeded everyone's expectations," said Mary Pearce, foundation executive director.