Near Valparaiso in Porter County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Civil War
Tennessee Hills 1863
Photographed by Daniel Barriball, February 21, 2026
1. Civil War Marker
For the first time in history, railroads played a major role in warfare. Trains moved troops and supplies quickly and fed the industries of both North and South. As a result, rail lines became vital targets for attack and defense.
Built For War
Armored Railroad Cars
13-inch mortar on flatcar
Heavy guns could be moved more quickly and easily by train than by horse and wagon. Such mortars could weigh up to 9 tons (as much as two elephants) and throw shells as far as three miles.
Battery car
Thick wooden and iron planks set at a 45-degree angle housed a heavy gun and deflected incoming fire. But it could only shoot in one directionstraight ahead.
Ironclad "monitor" car
Heavy, iron-clad tank cars were built to house larger artillery firing from three sides. These battery cars would be positioned in the front and back of an armored train to protect the locomotive and any troops on board.
Can you find each of these special cars in the diorama?
Erected 2011 by Taltree Arboretum & Gardens.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Railroads & Streetcars • War, US Civil. A significant historical year for this entry is 1863.
Location. 41° 26.701′
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Northern Indiana. It is also in the American Midwest, on the Great Lakes, and in the Corn Belt. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture and also the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Building the Railroad (here, next to this marker); Lincoln's Funeral Train (a few steps from this marker); Logging (a few steps from this marker); Coal Mine (a few steps from this marker); City Center (a few steps from this marker); A Changing Land (within shouting distance of this marker); Limestone Quarry (within shouting distance of this marker); Small Town Life (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Valparaiso.
More about this marker. Taltree Arboretum was renamed Gabis Arboretum after it was acquired by Purdue University Northwest in 2018.
Also see . . . Railway Garden. Gabis Arboretum Details about Gabis Arboretum's Railway Garden
The Railway Garden spans two full acres and tells amazing stories of American railroads in the context of a large display garden using G-gauge miniature trains.(Submitted on February 23, 2026, by Daniel Barriball of Chesterton, Indiana.)
Photographed by Daniel Barriball, February 21, 2026
2. Civil War Marker in context
Credits. This page was last revised on February 24, 2026. It was originally submitted on February 23, 2026, by Daniel Barriball of Chesterton, Indiana. This page has been viewed 46 times since then. Last updated on February 24, 2026, by Daniel Barriball of Chesterton, Indiana. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 23, 2026, by Daniel Barriball of Chesterton, Indiana. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
