With house moved, battlefield park moves forward

FRANKLIN – Plans for Franklin’s Columbia Avenue Civil War battlefield park are finally rolling forward.

A monthslong delay to move a portion of a historical house formerly located at 109 Cleburne St. ended Tuesday when a house-moving crew hauled away the second part of the home. It was located on land where park supporters want to eventually create a 20-acre Civil War park.

The nearly 130-year-old home has been owned since 1997 by the Heritage Foundation of Franklin and Williamson County, which sold the house for $5,000 to Franklin residents Sharon and John McNeely.

The McNeelys are moving the house to property in Giles County, where it will be renovated.

The first portion of the house was moved May 7, but the second portion remained in Franklin after a rift occurred between the McNeelys and Nashville house mover Richard Camp, who refused to move the remaining portion of the house. The house had to be separated so it could be moved and reassembled successfully.

A new house-moving crew was hired by the McNeelys and the remaining portion of the house was moved Tuesday night, officials said.

The removal of the final portion of the house cheered park supporters who want to see forward momentum on the proposed park happen this year, which is the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Franklin.

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

RELATED: New Battle of Franklin exhibit

Park supporters now want to clear the remaining debris from the area in the weeks ahead so that a team of archaeologists can comb the site for artifacts and learn more details about the property and its history.

On Nov. 30, 1864, the property was farmland occupied by a cotton gin owned by the Carter family. That cotton gin was the epicenter of fighting between thousands of Union and Confederate troops, a battle that claimed more than 8,000 casualties.

When complete, the 20-acre park would be called Carter’s Hill Park.

Stacey Suzanne Watson, director of Franklin’s Charge, said the tenants inside the small retail center that adjoins Cleburne Street will be moving out of the strip center.

Preservationists bought the retail property and the Domino’s Pizza restaurant next door and plan to demolish both buildings.

Reach Kevin Walters at 615-771-5472 and on Twitter @thekevinwalters.