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“Bite-Size Bits of Local, National, and Global History”
“Bite-Size Bits of Local, National, and Global History”
Parkers Crossroads in Henderson County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)
 

The Lexington-Huntingdon Road

 
 
The Lexington-Huntingdon Road Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Shane Oliver, April 3, 2021
1. The Lexington-Huntingdon Road Marker
Inscription.

The Historic Road
In front of you is the original roadbed of the Lexington-Huntingdon Road. This road, which figured so prominently in the Battle of Parker's Crossroads, connected the county seats of Henderson and Carroll counties, respectively. Before the railroad, this road was the primary transportation route. With the coming of the railroad, however, roads became secondary commercial routes. Stage companies no longer maintained the roads they formerly traveled. Men, whose tax burden included one day each month of road repair and maintenance, neglected their duties. Roads fell into disrepair.

By the time of the Civil War, traveling roads in any rural area was unpleasant at best. Dusty and rutted during dry weather, they became almost impassable when wet and muddy. Snow, sleet, and rain marked the two weeks before the Battle of Parker's Crossroads. A caisson with ammunition weighed over 3,800 pounds, a loaded battery wagon about 1,290 pounds. A 12-pounder gun and limber with ammunition and implements weighed a whopping 3,875 pounds. Teams pulling these heavy military vehicles over a road churned to mud by cavalry and infantry would have found it slow going, indeed.

Demise of the Old Road
In the late 1920s, the Tennessee Highway Department began making plans to relocate the road.
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William R. Britt, the great-grandson of Dr. John Parker, wrote to the newspaper protesting the relocation because of the road's connection to the Battle of Parker's Crossroads. "Let us all insist the road cross at its old crossing at this historic battle field" he implored.

In spite of Mr. Britt's plea, the road was relocated and straightened in 1931. The new road, now SR 22, passed about 150 feet west of the original crossroads. It is fortunate that the road was relocated. If it had not been, the old roadbed and an important part of the battlefield would have been destroyed.
 
Erected by Parker's Crossroads Battlefield Association.
 
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical year for this entry is 1931.
 
Location. 35° 47.267′ N, 88° 23.36′ W. Marker is in Parkers Crossroads, Tennessee, in Henderson County. Marker can be reached from Federal Lane, 0.2 miles east of Tennessee Route 22, on the right when traveling east. The marker is along the South Loop Walking Trail, at Stop 7 of the Parker's Crossroads Driving Tour. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Wildersville TN 38388, United States of America. Touch for directions.
 
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. A Very Successful Campaign (within shouting distance of this marker); McPeake Cabin (within shouting distance of this marker); 39th Iowa Infantry Regiment
The Lexington-Huntingdon Road Trace image. Click for full size.
Photographed By David Graff, April 24, 2012
2. The Lexington-Huntingdon Road Trace
Looking southwest from the marker, the road trace is defined by rows of small trees.
(within shouting distance of this marker); Withdrawal to the Split-Rail Fence (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Lt. Col. Alonzo Napier (about 300 feet away); Nathan Bedford Forrest (about 300 feet away); Battle of Parker's Crossroads (about 300 feet away); Three Desperate Charges (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Parkers Crossroads.
 
More about this marker. The marker includes a modern photograph of the road trace captioned, "The old road is clearly visible in this photograph taken at Parkers Crossroads City Park, where a line of trees defines the edge of the historic road. The line of trees continues south, where it borders the walking trail on the north portion of the battlefield. Another line of trees; further evidence of the old road, can be seen on the north side of the entrance to the city park." On the right is a drawing of what appears to be Union horse artillerymen whipping their tired horses over a muddy road.
 
Additional keywords. Parkers Crossroads
 
The Lexington-Huntingdon Road Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Brandon Fletcher, October 8, 2010
3. The Lexington-Huntingdon Road Marker
The Lexington-Huntingdon Road Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Shane Oliver, April 3, 2021
4. The Lexington-Huntingdon Road Marker
The McPeake Cabin can be seen in the background.
Lexington-Huntingdon Road Trace image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Shane Oliver, April 3, 2021
5. Lexington-Huntingdon Road Trace
 
 
Credits. This page was last revised on May 31, 2021. It was originally submitted on March 20, 2014, by David Graff of Halifax, Nova Scotia. This page has been viewed 525 times since then and 2 times this year. Photos:   1. submitted on May 28, 2021, by Shane Oliver of Richmond, Virginia.   2. submitted on March 20, 2014, by David Graff of Halifax, Nova Scotia.   3. submitted on August 22, 2015, by Brandon Fletcher of Chattanooga, Tennessee.   4, 5. submitted on May 28, 2021, by Shane Oliver of Richmond, Virginia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.

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Mar. 19, 2024