On Thursday June 13th several of the Friends of Kemp Park members attended a walk-through of the property with local historian Jeffery Wright of the Cobb County Civil War Round Table to identify Civil War earthworks on the property. Also on the tour was Kevin Hill, Manager of Natural Resources for Cobb County Parks, and his staff members Megan and Sadie.

Mr. Wright highlighted a trench dating from June of 1864 running South from a point near Burnt Hickory Road through the woods towards a ravine in the center of the park. According to Civil War records, the line was manned with Confederate troops led by Brig. General Hugh Mercer and was vacated in the first weeks of June as the Northern army advanced during the Atlanta Campaign.

Several hundred yards of the earthwork remain, and the group discussed options for how the area might be protected as the County begins making improvements to the park.

It was great to see this vivid reminder of historical events, and we are fortunate to have the area set aside in parkland. The task ahead is to ensure Cobb County residents can continue to view and enjoy this reminder of our past for many years into the future.

Local historian Jeffery Wright leads a walk-thru of Kemp Park’s historical locations for Cobb County Parks and the Friends of Kemp Park, 13 June 2019.