Near Birchwood in Meigs County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)
Blythe Ferry
Photographed by Lee Hattabaugh, January 2, 2011
1. Blythe Ferry Marker
Erected by Tennessee Historical Commission. (Marker Number 2B 32.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Bridges & Viaducts • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Tennessee Historical Commission, and the Trail of Tears series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1809.
Location. 35° 24.92′ N, 85° 1.351′ W. Marker is near Birchwood, Tennessee, in Meigs County. It is on Hiwassee Highway (State Highway 60) 5 miles south of Rhea County Highway (U.S. 27), on the right when traveling south. Marker is located on the south side of the Tennessee River (Tri-County Veterans) Bridge near the Rhea/Meigs County line. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Birchwood
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in East Tennessee. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, in Appalachia, and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the original Cherokee Nation, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within one mile of this marker, measured as the crow flies: A different marker also named Blythe Ferry (approx. Ύ mile away); a different marker also named Blythe Ferry (approx. 0.9 miles away); General Winfield Scott (approx. 1.1 miles away); "Orders No. 25" (approx. 1.1 miles away); "To Learn and not Forget" (approx. 1.1 miles away); "Your Fate is Decided" (approx. 1.1 miles away); "Chains of Friendship" (approx. 1.1 miles away); "Given by the Great Spirit above" (approx. 1.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Birchwood.
Another marker
Photographed by Lee Hattabaugh, January 2, 2011
2. Blythe Ferry Marker
Looking south toward the river bridge on TN-60.
More about this marker. There is a second Blythe Ferry marker on the north side of the bridge in Rhea County, number 2B 33.
Additional commentary.
1. Tennessee Civil War Trails
The Tennessee Civil War Trails map for Southeast Tennessee has the following information: "A company of the 5th Tennessee Infantry Regiment was stationed for over a year at the ferry to guard the mouth of the Hiwassee River. The war's official records note a skirmish at Blythe's Ferry on November 13, 1863. During an artillery duel on that date, Company A, 1st Ohio Light Artillery of the Union forces, suffered one heavily wounded casualty. A great deal of corn was stored on Jolly's Island adjacent to the ford which, since both sides were short of forage and flour, was highly desired by Union and Confederate armies alike."
— Submitted January 11, 2011, by Lee Hattabaugh of Capshaw, Alabama.
Photographed by Lee Hattabaugh, January 2, 2011
3. Tennessee River bridge and ferry
Tr-County Veterans bridge as seen from the Blythe Ferry site.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on January 3, 2011, by Lee Hattabaugh of Capshaw, Alabama. This page has been viewed 1,266 times since then and 56 times this year. Last updated on January 14, 2013, by Byron Hooks of Sandy Springs, Georgia. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 3, 2011, by Lee Hattabaugh of Capshaw, Alabama. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
