The Civil War is one of the most important wars in US history. Arguably, it is the most important and influential - even over 150 years later. Records show that more Americans died in the Civil War than any other war. There were also more people involved in the war than any other - where everyone knew someone that was fighting. The North prospered and slavery ended, the South was ruined and lost one of its main components of its economy - resulting in a reworking of society and a country that continuously attempts to live up to its creed of all men being created equal.
Studying the history of a war that ravaged this country is a pastime of many. The history is fascinating and informative to understand the complexity of this country. One of the great places to see it and enjoy the nature surrounding it in the South is Tannehill Ironworks Historical State Park in Alabama. The park is 1,500 acres of beautiful nature, with a focal point of 3 huge furnaces used as an iron factory during the civil war. “The biggest draw is the furnaces,” says Lisa Carrol, Accountant for the park. “But there are great hiking and biking trails here, too.”
A man named Daniel Hillman built the first iron furnace in 1830 at the site after discovering a wealth of iron deposits in the area. His goal of riches never really took off and it was soon superseded by Ninian Tannehill. The first furnace was built by the famous Moses Stroup. Stroup came from a family of ironworkers and was considered the most expert furnaceman in the South. Slaves were used to build the furnaces under Stroup and the 3 furnaces were built and soon chugging along in the early years of the war. A steam engine powered the blowing machines to heat the fires and, at its prime, Tannehill Iron could turn out 22 tons of iron a day. This was used for weapons, skillets and other necessities for the Southern army in its fight against the North.
The old Tannehill Furnaces constitute one of the oldest industrial sites in the Birmingham Iron and Steel District [Photo/Rain0975-CC]
As all the great war-minded individuals know, to take out an opponent, one must take out their stock. So the Union army set its sights on the ironworks. On March 30, 1865, the Union Calvary came to the area of the Tannehill ironworks. They were empty, as the Confederates were expecting the Calvary to come through. The Captain in charge of the operation understood that using the ironworks after they went through would be near impossible.
On the Iron and Steel Museum of Alabama website, which is a place in the Historical State Park property that should definitely be visited, it says: "His men damaged each furnace, destroyed the steam blast engine, and set ablaze the furnace’s charging bridges, foundry, cast houses, blower house, and a raw materials warehouse containing the iron ore, limestone and charcoal used to make iron. The cavalry also tore up the tramway leading to the ore mines and burned the settlement near the ironworks and the Tannehill Plantation grist mill before continuing on to wreak similar havoc on the town of Bucksville."
Through the years, the ironworks tried to get up and running again, but never really did. Eventually the remains were donated to University of Alabama in the 1950s and then to an organization that would turn it into an historical park. The Iron and Steel Museum of Alabama opened in 1981. According the Encyclopedia of Alabama website, “It contains more than 10,000 relics, including rare machinery from the Tredegar Ironworks in Richmond, Virginia, and collections from the Henry Ford Museum and the Washington Navy Yard,” along with ammunition relics and old slave quarters that were discovered from the 8 archaeological excavations of the area. Also of note at the museum is the one of the oldest steam engines in America. The museum can be visited while at the park for an extra $2.
The park has plenty to do - camping, hiking, and plenty of events throughout the year. They just finished their annual Ironworks Halloween party where guest walk around to hear stories to be told, see campers decorated, and engage in many activities meant for families. “We lost state funding in 2009, so our park is basically funded by camping,” Carrol says. The Halloween party is the biggest draw and was initiated originally by campers themselves 27 years ago. “Now it has gotten to the point where some campers will come in September and stay for the whole 2 months just to make sure they are here for Halloween,” she says. “We have a carnival and other events during the day for the kids and then the kids go trick or treating around the campground at night.”
Don’t be too sad you missed Halloween this year, though - there are plenty of other events, too. “We have a Flea market the third full weekend of the month from November - March that has over 400 vendors,” Carrol informs The Buzz. There is also a Christmas celebration with candles lining paths to different cabins where people are taken on a time warp to different shows like a Civil War era band.
And there are always the staples that nature has to offer. “Our hiking and biking trails were voted number 1 in Alabama by Birmingham Magazine,” Carrol exclaims. There is also trout fishing on the creek that runs through the park. The campsites are first come, first serve so get in your RV and get driving into this fun, history-filled park!
Alabama, Camping, Destinations, History, Outdoors, State Parks