Preservation: The Right Thing To Do

Preservation: The Right Thing To Do


The greatest cavalry charge recorded in Georgia’s history took place in Henry County. This incredible charge began in a large field just off the McDonough Road, and ended just north of Babb’s Mill Road at County Line Church.

A new park will include 204 acres south of Jonesboro Road near Lovejoy. Not only will citizens benefit from the education, but both counties will gain from the revenue. All the artifacts that have been found and the evidence of encampments make this land a historical place.

Many folks may not fully appreciate the value of this piece of dirt. In the Atlanta area many, many historic places like Civil War battlefields are now home to parking lots, shopping centers, residential and commercial development. They are gone forever. Seldom do we even see a plaque honoring the events, much less the people, whose lives shaped the world. Even then we cannot glean from a plaque the full impact, the detailed history, or the awe with which major events of the past should be viewed.

There is no other Civil War Battlefield in Henry County or anywhere else on the South side of Atlanta. This property is of such importance that the Georgia Civil War Commission and The Civil War Preservation and Trust, Washington DC, have committed to help fund the park. The majority of the upkeep is in cutting the fields. And, people are doing that free of charge in exchange for keeping the hay as feed for their livestock.

Funding will come from impact fees, which are designated for capital improvements like libraries and parks. Current legislation forbids use of impact fees for transportation projects. There will be no negative effect on property taxes, sales taxes or any other budgeted expense.

Impact fees should be spent in the area where the impact is occurring. The majority of impact fees are collected from District Two west of the Interstate. And they have exceeded the second highest District by $1 million. The eastern side of the county currently has 725 acres of park land. The western side has less than 200 acres. The reported price of $8 million is not final. The county has the option to appeal; and, the most likely outcome is the true value of the property below $6 million.

Two senior centers, four new libraries and three recreation buildings are all on the East side of the Interstate. The park offers an opportunity to benefit everyone while putting impact fees to a proper use.

An officially designated park, a building to house artifacts and historical documentation – on the very ground where men fought and died – is appropriate. Historian Mark Pollard’s account of this battle, summarized in a recent article, is available at www.hccitizen.blogspot.com. The tragedy and glory of those days in August 1864 are inescapably human and deserving of our respect and preservation.

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