Sullivan County Civil War Trail Marker Dedication

Sullivan County To Dedicate Civil War Trail Marker “Burning Bridges”
2 PM, Friday, January 20, 2017
Corner of Bluff City Highway and Holston Drive
Bluff City, TN
 
BLOUNTVILLE, Tenn. – The Sullivan County Department of Archives and Tourism and the City of Bluff City will hold a dedication ceremony for “Burning Bridges”, a TN Civil War Trails marker to be unveiled at Bluff City. The ceremony and ribbon-cutting will be held at 2 PM, Fri., Jan. 20, 2017, at the corner of Bluff City Highway and Holston Drive at Bluff City, Tennessee. The marker is the newest marker on the Sullivan County Civil War Trails marker program.
 
Sullivan County has partnered with the TN Department of Tourist Development to implement Civil War markers throughout the county that tell the story of the Civil War.
 
Sullivan County Mayor Richard S. Venable and Bluff City Mayor Irene Wells will provide opening remarks.  Drew Gruber, Director of the Civil War Trails Program, will speak on the historical significance of Bluff City in conjunction with the Civil War railroad.  Research and groundwork for the marker was provided by Lucas Triplett of Sullivan County.
 
“This sign itself marks a dramatic and lesser known operation which stretched from Tennessee into Alabama and specifically looked to target nine different bridges, aimed at disrupting the fledgling Confederacy’s vital supply routes. Civil War Trails connects the physical and intellectual dots of America’s Civil War sites, allowing visitors to literally follow in the footsteps of the soldiers, sailors and citizens. The Trails program brings them through downtowns, main streets and museums across all five states. Lucas’s attention to detail in his research and his guidance in the design of the sign and the site provide a very evocative visitor experience. The sign not only educates the public but adds Bluff City into this very popular network of Civil War sites. This creates a major source of revenue for local businesses, municipalities and each participating state as our visitors look for equally unique dining, shopping and lodging experiences,” said Mr. Gruber.
 
To date, the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development has installed more than 378 Civil War markers across the State of Tennessee.
 
Local historians, members of lineage organizations and the general public are cordially invited to attend.
 
Contact:
Shelia Hunt
sheliahunt@charter.net
(423) 323-4660