Civil War History
The Western and Atlantic railroad ensured that Dalton would be a critical point in the Civil War. As such, traces of the war still remain today – with Dalton having the highest collection of civil war memorabilia, as well as hosting an annual reenactment. Throughout the city and surrounding area are several historic locations, including houses, battlefields, and railroad depots. Make a day trip or weekend visit to experience American History firsthand.
Tunnel Hill Heritage Center
215 Clisby Austin Road, Tunnel Hill, Georgia – 30755 (click to google map)
URL: www.tunnelhillheritagecenter.com
Engineered in the 1800s, Tunnel Hill was the site of one of the many skirmishes during the Civil War and one of the oldest railroad tunnels south of the Mason-Dixon Line. Clisby Austin House, cir. 1850, still stands nearby, with reenactments of the Battle of Tunnel Hill taking place each September.
Open: Monday – Saturday, 9am – 5pm
Admission: $5.00 Adults; $3.00 Children 12 and under
Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park
3370 LaFayette Road, Fort Oglethorpe, GA 30742 (click to google map)
706-866-9241
URL: www.nps.gov/chch/index.htm
Visitor Center is open daily from 8:00am – 4:45pm
Park is open daily during daylight hours.
The nation’s oldest, largest and most visited national military park. This is the site of the bloodiest two-day battle of the Civil War and the home of the Fuller Gun Collection. The park features a multi-media program, self-guided tours, trails and roads for hiking, biking, running and horseback riding.
Prater’s Mill
GA Hwy. 2 P.O. Drawer H, Varnell, GA 30756 (click to google map)
706-694-6455
URL: www.pratersmill.org
Open daylight hours
Prater’s is an historic grist mill built in 1855 and was the site of Confederate and Union camps during the Civil War. The mill operates during the country fair each October. Fishing is permitted in Cohulla Creek; An nature trail provides a walkthrough of the area, and, with a donation, the grounds can be reserved for private use.
Dalton Depot
110 Depot Street, Dalton, 30720 (click to google map)
706-226-3160
URL: www.thedaltondepot.net
Open 7 Days a week
Built in 1847 and used by the railroad until 1978, this National Register Historic Site is now in use as an upscale restaurant and lounge. In the lobby is the original beginning point for surveying the city of Dalton. A few blocks south is the site of another Freight Depot that acts as the Dalton Visitors Center and Gift Shop.
Dug Gap Battle Park
W. Dug Gap Battle Road, Dalton, GA 30720 (click to google map)
1-800-331-3258 or 706-278-0217
Open daylight hours
These breastworks were built by Civil War soldiers during the Atlanta Campaign and feature a scenic view from the top of Dug Gap Mountain hiking trail that overlooks the Dalton Area, as well as the Georgia Mountains.
Hamilton House
701 Chattanooga Ave. Dalton, Ga. (click to google map)
Open Fridays: 10:00am – 4:00pm or by appointment.
Small Admission for Guided Tours.
This brick house was built by John Hamilton around 1840. During the Winter of 1863, when Gen. Joseph E. Johnston and the Army of Tennessee occupied Dalton, Brig. Gen. J.H.Lewis headquartered here. His tent near the spring house was the location where battle strategy was discussed and implemented. Guided tours offer an in-depth look at the history behind the house.
Confederate Commentary and Memorial Wall
West Cuyler Street and Lynn St (click to google map)
This cemetery has 421 Confederate and four “unknown” Union soldiers. The recently discovered names of the Confederates are engraved on the Memorial Wall.
The Joseph E. Johnston Statue
Location: On the corner of Hamilton Street & Crawford Street (click to google map)
This is the only outdoor statue of General Joseph E. Johnston, who commanded the Army of Tennessee during the Atlanta Campaign December 1863 – July 1864. It is located in Downtown Dalton on the corner of Hamilton and Crawford Streets.
Blunt House
506 S. Thornton Avenue, Dalton, 30720 (click to google map)
706-278-0217
Open Friday 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. and by Appointment
Small Admission for Guided Tours
1848 home of Dalton’s first mayor, postmaster and religious leader, the Blunt House is on the National Register of Historic Places.
