Friday, February 20, 2004

Brown’s Mill park could lure tourists from around the country

By JOHN THOMPSON
jthompson@TheCitizenNews.com

Coweta County could soon be home to a tourist destination that could draw visitors by the thousands.

The plans for a park at the Brown’s Mill Battlefield historic site were revealed during Tuesday’s Coweta County Commission meeting. The plan was developed by New South Associates in Stone Mountain.

The 104-acre site, located just off Corinth Road, was the site of a battle in July,1864 between the Union cavalry commanded by Brigadier General Edward Moody McCook and the Confederate units led by General Joseph Wheeler.

The battle was part of the campaign to capture Atlanta and was significant because it was one of the few Confederate victories.

The $3.1 million plan envisioned by New South Associates features a memorial garden, pavilion and trails and signage pointing out details of the battle.

In their report, New South said this would be the only Civil War battlefield devoted to interpreting a cavalry raid.

“Opportunities exist in drawing tourists who are traveling to Atlanta from the west; in enhancing Newnan as a heritage tourism destination, with Brown’s Mill offering another attraction for heritage tourism in town; and in playing-up the unique aspects of this battle and park,” New South officials said.

Visitors will be able to experience the entire 250-mile route of the raid, as a miniature trail will be laid out in the park.

Even though the County Commission unanimously approved the design of the park, they issued an important caveat.

“This does not approve financing,” said Commissioner Greg Tarbutton.


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