Red Clay, one mile W, was once an important Council Ground for the Cherokee Indians who called it “Red Earth Place.” During the War Between the States, on May 2, 1864, the 2nd Brigade, First Cavalry Division, Dept. of the Cumberland, U. . . . — — Map (db m50867) HM
The 600 block of McCamy Street, now South Hamilton Street, was the center of Black business from the 1900's to the 1950's and is therefore dedicated to those Black pioneers this 19th day of October, 1987.
Aldermen
Waymon B. Souther • W. . . . — — Map (db m199888) HM
Near Dalton on August 15, 1864, during the Civil War, the 14th United States Colored Troops (USCT), whose enlisted men were mostly former slaves, helped drive off a Confederate cavalry attack on the Western and Atlantic Railroad, U.S. General . . . — — Map (db m44625) HM
1.5 Mi. W. this road ascends to and crosses the summit of Rocky Face ridge -- a direct route between Dalton and LaFayette.
May 7, 1864. Grigsby's brigade (Wheeler's Cav.), after retreating from Tunnel Hill to Mill Creek Cap, camped on this road . . . — — Map (db m10788) HM
In early May 1864 the main advance of Union
Major General William T. Sherman's armies
near Dalton was made toward Snake Creek Gap
to the southwest. To draw
attention away from this
effort other Federal troops
attempted to cross Rocky
Face . . . — — Map (db m142900) HM
May 14, 1864: The 20th Corps (USA) was shifted from Camp Creek Valley, 0.5 mi. W. & aligned across rd.~ the 2d & 3d Divs. in reserve; the 1st Div. prolonging Stanley’s Div. (4th A.C.) (USA) to the State R.R., east. May 15: Butterfield’s (3d) & . . . — — Map (db m10942) HM
May 15, 1864. The 23d A.C. (US) was shifted from Camp Cr., 1.5 mi. W., to this vicinity where it extended the left of Sherman’s line (US) to the Conasauga River.
Hovey’s (1st) div. supported Williams’ (1st) div., 20th A.C. (US), between the . . . — — Map (db m182300) HM
2.8 miles E. of here, on May 13, 1864, a delaying action was fought as Confederates moved south toward Resaca. On Oct.13, 1864, part of French’s Division of Stewart’s Corps, Confederates Army of Tennessee, attacked this place, then garrisoned by 300 . . . — — Map (db m44623) HM
On April 19, 1864, General Joseph E. Johnston reviewed the Confederate Army of Tennessee on this ridge. After his appointment in December 1863, Johnston rebuilt a defeated and demoralized army following Confederate General Braxton Bragg's defeat at . . . — — Map (db m9069) HM
Most people identify Dalton, Georgia, an the Carpet Capital of the World. However many are not aware of the inventions, inventors, designers, and machinists who built the mechanical backbone for today's carpet industry, obtaining hundreds of . . . — — Map (db m171568) HM
421 unknown Confederate, four known Confederate and four unknown Federal soldiers are buried here. Some of these men died of wounds received in the Battles of Stone's River, Perryville, Chickamauga, Lookout Mountain, Chattanooga, Missionary Ridge, . . . — — Map (db m164928) HM
The opening actions of the Atlanta Campaign occurred around Dalton during early May 1864. Union Major General William T. Sherman's strategy, as two of his three armies approached from the north and northwest, involved a series of demonstrations by . . . — — Map (db m85914) HM
Federal forces moved south on this road in an attempt to outflank the Confederate defenders at Mill Creek Gap, which was being threatened by two Federal divisions from the west. These movements were to test the strength of Johnston`s army at Dalton. . . . — — Map (db m10786) HM
This cemetery was
established during the
Civil War on about
four and one-half acres
of Dalton's original
ten-acre cemetery
donated to the city by
Duff Green on
February 15, 1855.
Today this much larger
cemetery is known as
West Hill. Over . . . — — Map (db m142905) HM
An excavation at the summit of Rocky Face Ridge on the direct route between Dalton and LaFayette.
This gap was guarded by Confederate forces when Dalton was occupied after the retreat from Missionary Ridge in Nov. 1863. Federal forces made two . . . — — Map (db m23347) HM
Dug Gap was so named because a pioneer road, cut out of the hillside, passed through a cleft in Rocky Face Ridge at this point. The road led east to Dalton and the Western and Atlantic Railroad, important military objectives. Federals sought in . . . — — Map (db m50162) HM
The Confederate "Army of Tennessee" that defended Dalton from November 1863 to May 1864 briefly returned here the following October. It was much depleted in both size and spirit. Their unsuccessful defense of Atlanta ended with its fall on September . . . — — Map (db m86563) HM
Here on January 2, 1864, Gen. Patrick Cleburne proposed arming slaves in exchange for their freedom to alleviate the manpower shortage facing the Confederacy. Almost all the other generals present opposed the idea of black Confederate soldiers . . . — — Map (db m44641) HM
George Whitefield (1714-70) was a noted evangelist, born in Gloucester, England. He met John and Charles Wesley at Oxford and with them formed the Holy Club. Ordained deacon in 1736, he followed the Wesleys to Georgia in 1738 and founded Bethesda . . . — — Map (db m44787) HM
Hamilton House is the oldest surviving house
in Dalton, pre-dating the city's founding. The
brick home and spring house were built about
1840 by John Hamilton and his wife Rachel.
John was a civil engineer with the Western and
Atlantic . . . — — Map (db m142903) HM
This brick house & the stone spring house in the low ground back of it, were built by John Hamilton about 1840. During the Winter, 1863-1864, when the Confederate Army of Tennessee, under Gen. Joseph E. Johnston, occupied Dalton, Brig. Gen. J.H. . . . — — Map (db m10830) HM
This plaque honors the memory of Johnny Marcus, a local running enthusiast who died in an automobile accident, April 7, 1995. His dedication and commitment to the sport of running was inspiring to those who now follow in his footsteps. — — Map (db m12913) HM
Joseph E. Johnston
1807 ---- 1891
Brigadier General U.S.A.
General C.S.A.
Given command of the Confederate
forces at Dalton, in
1863, he directed the 79 days
campaign to Atlanta, one of the
most memorable in the annals of war . . . — — Map (db m180351) HM
Many cotton mills in the south operated schools to promote the literacy and work ethic
expected for future mill employees. Whitfield County had three mill schools: Crown Point, Elk (later Boylston Crown), and Atcooga, an acronym for American Thread . . . — — Map (db m170924) HM
(panel 1)
A Textile and Tufting Manufacturing Center
The textile and tufting industries transformed Dalton into a leading industrial center in northwest Georgia.
Long before carpet manufacturing arrived, the Cherokee occupied . . . — — Map (db m173298) HM
During demonstrations on Rocky Face and in Crow Valley, by 4th & 23d A.C. troops [US], the N. line of Dalton’s defense works crossed the road here.
Stevenson’s div. (Hood’s A.C.) [CS] held this sector, his left at Cheatham’s line, at Signal . . . — — Map (db m17155) HM
During demonstrations on Rocky Face & in Crow Valley, by 4th & 23d Army Corps troops, the northern line of Dalton’s defense works crossed the road here. Stevenson’s div. (Hood’s Army Corps) held this sector, his left at Cheatham’s line, at Signal . . . — — Map (db m17162) HM
The Atlanta Campaign opened at 3:00 AM on the morning of May 7th as the bugles of McCook's Federal Brigade sounded reveille at their camps near Ringgold. Federal troops occupied the village of Tunnel Hill and approached Buzzard's Roost Pass, as Mill . . . — — Map (db m86522) HM
This house, built in 1848 by Ainsworth Emery Blunt, pioneer settler of Dalton, has been continuously occupied by members of his family. Appointed postmaster of Cross Plains in 1845, Mr. Blunt was elected mayor when that town became Dalton in 1847 . . . — — Map (db m44735) HM
Conceived by regional businessmen in 1915, construction for the portion of US Highway 41 through Whitfield County began in 1926 and opened on October 29, 1929 with much fanfare. Before I-75, U S Highway 41, also known as the Dixie Highway, was one . . . — — Map (db m171572) HM
The Confederate defenders of Dalton impounded the waters of Mill Creek by a dam, in the gap, as a measure of defense when Federal forces under Sherman assailed this opening in Rocky Face Ridge. This temporary lake, together with fortifications in . . . — — Map (db m10787) HM
William Scott and Frances Brown McCarty began laying out a neighborhood here in 1927. By 1950, influential Dalton residents had established one of the city’s earliest subdivisions. McCarty residents pioneered and maintained the Dalton carpet and . . . — — Map (db m19294) HM
John B. McCarty began laying out a neighborhood here in 1928. By 1950, influential Dalton residents had established one of the city’s earliest subdivisions using New South landscaping. Tudor Revival, Colonial Revival, and Minimal Traditional . . . — — Map (db m15382) HM
From 1895 to the mid-1930s, as the bedspread Industry began to develop the tufting process was done by hand in homes. The vast majority of the original hand-tufters were ladies seeking to supplement their families agricultural income that had . . . — — Map (db m171571) HM
Tristram Dalton (1732-1817) was born in Newburyport, Mass; graduate of Harvard, 1755: admitted to bar but followed mercantile pursuits.
Delegate to Convention of Committees of New England Provinces, Providence, R. I., 1776; member Massachusetts . . . — — Map (db m10804) HM
In 1985, Dalton, GA had no reason to believe that it would develop into a modern El Dorado, "The City of gold," or in our city's case, carpet. Dalton is infamous for its title of "Carpet Capital of the World".
The driving tour honors the . . . — — Map (db m173474) HM
Date of Construction: 1852
Builder: Western and Atlantic Railroad
Original Occupancy: Railroad Station
Here, during the Civil War on April 12, 1862, the engine "Texas," dropped off a telegraph operator with orders to warn the Confederate . . . — — Map (db m86525) HM
Jesse Callaway, soldier of 1812, son of Joseph Callaway, soldier of '76, lived in this house from 1852 to 1867. The house, built with bricks made on the place, remained in the family until after 1900. It is said to have been built about 1814. . . . — — Map (db m10795) HM
Ante-bellum domain of Joel Babb (1809~1882) - on Mill Cr., foot of Rocky Face at Dug Gap. May 8, 1864. 1 A. M.: Col. W.C.P. Breckinridge’s 9th Ky., Grigsby’s brigade, Wheeler’s cav., descended from Dug Gap & patrolled the roads N. & W. to ascertain . . . — — Map (db m10912) HM
May 8, 1864. Maj. Gen. J.W. Geary, with Buschbeck`s & Candy`s brigades of the 2d div., 20th A.C., moving from near Gordon`s Springs, reached this, the Babb Settlement, at 3 p.m. Planting McGill`s Penna. Battery (3 inch Rodman guns) near Joel Babb`s . . . — — Map (db m10913) HM
May 8, 1864, Brig. Gen. J.W. Geary, with Buschbeck’s & Candy’s brigades 2d div., A.C., marched on this road from Near Gordon’s Springs. Turning E. here
(near Whitfield – Walker County line ), Geary’s troops moved to Dug Gap in Rocky Face . . . — — Map (db m10940) HM
May 7, 1864. Gen. Hooker`s 20th A.C. crossed Taylor’s Ridge at Nickajack & Gordon Springs Gaps, moving E. toward Rocky Face Ridge. Geary’s 2d & Butterfield’s 3d divs., via Gordon`s Springs, reached this point that afternoon. Butterfield’s troops . . . — — Map (db m10796) HM
At this point the entrenched line of Stanley’s (1st) Div., 4th A.C. (US) crossed the highway, facing Hood’s line (CS) 0.5 mi. South. May 14, 1864: 0.4 mi. E. (near Nance’s Spring) Hood’s rt.(CS) made a spirited attack on Stanley’s left (US), which . . . — — Map (db m10972) HM
Federal frontal attacks failing completely here Sherman ably outflanked the Confederate army strongly entrenched across Rocky Face ridge and this gap. Whereupon Johnston with great skill reestablished a position by withdrawing to Resaca. — — Map (db m13279) HM
After their defeat at Missionary Ridge near
Chattanooga in November 1863, the Confederate
“Army of Tennessee” spent the winter of
1863-64 around Dalton, fortifying its defense.
As the weather warmed and dirt roads dried,
heavy . . . — — Map (db m142913) HM
Feb. 25, 1864. Stewart’s and Breckinridge’s divs. in the gap, repulsed the attacks of the Federal 14th A.C., from the N.W., while Hindman's A.C. drove back Cruft's and Bard’s divs. in Crow Valley E. of Rocky Face Ridge and N. of the R.R. May 8-9. . . . — — Map (db m19265) HM
H’dq’rs., Maj. Gen. Joseph B. Hooker, commanding Federal 20th A. C., May 7, - 9, 1864. These troops, having crossed Taylor’s Ridge, May 7, moved E. to this vicinity. Williams’ 1st & Butterfield’s 3d divs. camped in Dogwood Valley near Trickum; . . . — — Map (db m21291) HM
High up on Rocky Face, S. of gap, is the lone grave of English-born George Disney, Co. K., 4th Ky. Inft., Lewis' “Orphan Brigade”, Bate’s div., Hindman’s
Corps (CS). The 4th Ky. was deployed to form a living telegraph line from base . . . — — Map (db m11075) HM
Otherwise known as Buzzard Roost. This natural gateway through Rock Face Ridge, was heavily fortified by Confederate forces at Dalton, after their
retreat from Missionary Ridge.
February 25, 1864, the Federal 14th A.C., Dept. of the Cumberland, . . . — — Map (db m11069) HM
Otherwise known as Buzzard Roost. This natural gateway through Rock Face Ridge was heavily fortified by Confederate forces at Dalton after their
retreat from Missionary Ridge. February 25, 1864, the Federal 14th A.C., Dept. of the Cumberland, . . . — — Map (db m11072) HM
Confederates withdraw to Resaca when Federal flank movement threatens their rear.
(labels)
Confederate position Rocky Face Ridge
Federal attack fails / Mill Creek Gap
Federal flank movement / Dug Gap — — Map (db m86523) HM
Approx. site of John H. Green’s wood station during the 1860’s – which was a fuel supply depot of the State R.R.
April 12, 1862: Andrews’ Raiders (US), with the locomotive GENERAL, paused to wood up while closely pursued by the locomotive TEXAS . . . — — Map (db m182302) HM
To the left over the railroad crossing stood a water tower where the famed "General", of "The Great Locomotive Chase" stopped for water while being chased by the "Texas", April 12, 1862. A brief stop was made at nearby Green's Wood Yard for fuel. . . . — — Map (db m10791) HM
Baggage Carts were one of the utilitarian devices used by almost all railroads to move goods and luggage around their depots. They received little more attention than the broom in the corner, but without them, the expediency of railroad freight . . . — — Map (db m143006) HM
These blocks are some of the limestone blocks that were cut from the surface rock on Rocky Face Ridge and brought down for use in the building of the Tunnel and the nearby W&A Depot in the mid-1800s. Surface ledge quarries are exposed areas of . . . — — Map (db m209081) HM
Captain Thomas Jefferson Key earned a reputation as an audacious battery commander, often running his guns up close to the enemy in advance of the infantry. Many reports and correspondence mention the incredibly fast loading and firing that . . . — — Map (db m209191) HM
400 yds. S.E., at the big spring, is the brick residence known as the Austin House.
May 7, 1864 The Federal forces, having seized Tunnel Hill their first movement in the campaign for Atlanta Maj. Gen. W.T. Sherman had headquarters at the . . . — — Map (db m209507) HM
In 1864 the direct road from Tunnel Hill to Varnell's, passed through Harris Gap at this point, which is just N. of where Rocky Face drops off into continuous foot-hills. Federal operations in Crow Valley by the 23d A.C., began with its march S. . . . — — Map (db m10945) HM
During the mid to late nineteenth century, general stores were generally the first business establishments built in a town. As successors to the trading post which served the pioneers and early settlers, general stores were located at crossroads . . . — — Map (db m209184) HM
Constructed in 1848 by Reverend Clisby Austin, "Meadowlawn" is a prime example of an antebellum style home. A wooden plank walkway extended from the house to the nearby Western and Atlantic Railroad Depot.
When Civil War hostilities . . . — — Map (db m209429) HM
[Left Side of Marker]
The Excavation
of the west end was
begun early July 15, 1848.
& the first opening
effected Oct. 31, 1849
The first train
of cars passed through
May 9, 1850
Length of excavation
in this end 575 feet . . . — — Map (db m20002) HM
In 1848, the 46 year old Reverend Clisby Austin, a farmer and business man from east Tennessee, arrived in the new village of Tunnelsville with his wife and twelve children. He purchased one hundred and sixty acres and established himself as a . . . — — Map (db m209427) HM
May 7, 1864. The Federal forces, under Maj. Gen. W.T. Sherman, began the campaign for Atlanta by seizing Tunnel Hill. Howard's 4th A.C., having marched from Catoosa Springs, drover Wheeler's Cav. from the R.R. tunnel S. to Mill Creek Gap. Palmer's . . . — — Map (db m12361) HM
The city of Tunnel Hill was incorporated in 1848.
The next year the state of Georgia began
construction of a depot in anticipation of the
completion of the Western and Atlantic Railroad.
This rail line linked Atlanta to Chattanooga. Yet
before . . . — — Map (db m142946) HM
The W&A (Western & Atlantic) Railroad Depot was constructed by the State of Georgia between 1848-1850 as part of the state-owned Western & Atlantic Railroad. This depot is one of Georgia's oldest. The Depot witnessed many important events during the . . . — — Map (db m143005) HM
The 1447 foot long Chetoogeta Mountain railroad tunnel is one-half mile east of this marker. The tunnel was completed in 1850 and this opened the W&A RR from Atlanta to Chattanooga. This was the first railroad tunnel completed south of the . . . — — Map (db m30587) HM
The display in front of you consists of one bent rail and two straight rails from the Civil War era. The bent rail was recovered in August of 2011 from the murky waters of Swamp Creek near the Western and Atlantic Railroad trestle just north of . . . — — Map (db m193680) HM
The cotton “gin” (short for engine) was first patented by Eli Whitney of Massachusetts in 1793. The purpose of a cotton gin is to remove the cotton seeds from cotton fibers.
Simple ginning machines were being used prior to 1793 to clean the . . . — — Map (db m120419) HM
Dr. John Franklin Lacewell (June 7, 1857 – August 19, 1937) was a horse-and-buggy doctor who never owned an automobile. He graduated from Atlanta Medical College (now Emory University) in 1887 and returned to Whitfield County. He answered house . . . — — Map (db m120418) HM
This historic home was built in 1847 by “Dry Dan Dold” for M. P. Varnell, a pioneer settler of this community. In the War Between the States, this home was used as a temporary hospital by Federals and Confederates. Several skirmishes and . . . — — Map (db m44662) HM
This memorial park and monument honor the memory of Elder Joseph Standing of Salt Lake City, Utah, a missionary of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, (Mormon) who was killed here by a mob July 21, 1879. His companion, Elder Rudger . . . — — Map (db m22501) HM
The highway crossing east and west at this point is the Old Federal Road, northwest Georgia’s earliest vehicular route. It led across the Indian County from the southeast boundary of the Cherokees, in the direction of Athens, toward Nashville via . . . — — Map (db m44658) HM
Prater’s Mill is a restored working gristmill built by Benjamin Franklin Prater circa 1855, on land that the Cherokee called “Fish Trap Shoals”. The mill is constructed of hand-hewn timbers with mortised and pegged joints. The Prater family owned . . . — — Map (db m120417) HM
January 19, 1861 – Georgia secedes from the Union.
October 1862 – The first Confederate troops arrive in Whitfield County.
1826 – 1864 – Benjamin Franklin Prater sells corn, hay, fodder, bacon, split rails and planks to . . . — — Map (db m120413) HM
Prater’s Mill was an important commercial site, containing the grist mill for grinding corn and wheat, and also a store, post office, warehouse, cotton gin, blacksmith, gardens and numerous houses. The Prater’s Mill store and the mill complex were . . . — — Map (db m120416) HM
Prater’s Mill Dates from 1855 and is in remarkably good shape thanks to the Prater’s Mill Foundation. Built by John Pitner, the grist mill and a nearby sawmill operated from a single water-powered turbine. Together the two mills carved a center of . . . — — Map (db m120411) HM
Many old mills were powered by overshot water wheels, picturesque, but difficult to maintain. Prater’s Mill, however, was powered by three more modern underwater turbines. One of these, a Leffel-type patented in 1862, is still completely . . . — — Map (db m120415) HM
There were 2 demonstrations by Federal forces on Dalton, in 1864: Feb. 24-26; May 7-12. On these over-lapping fields of operation, the Burke House & spring were noted landmarks. Feb. 25, Cruft`s & Baird`s divs. (4th & 14th A.C.), via the low ridge . . . — — Map (db m10929) HM
April, 1864. Pending Federal moves on Dalton a strong line of defense works was built across Crow Valley. Beginning at the Signal Station on Rocky Face, W., it crossed the road at this point & ascended the wooded hill E. where artillery was placed. . . . — — Map (db m10969) HM
May 9, 1864. Two divs., 23d A.C., having deployed abreast between the Burke & Harris houses moved S. astride this wooded ridge in the fork of Crow Creek. This move was made in conjunction with 4th A.C. troops on the summit & eastern slope of Rocky . . . — — Map (db m10931) HM
In this vicinity stood Ault’s mill and residence cited in Official Records as Lt. Gen. Wm. J. Hardee’s headquarters, May 8-13, 1864. Hardee was in temporary command of units of Hood’s A.C. (Hindman’s div.) together with his own corps at various . . . — — Map (db m10926) HM
