From Sen. Lamar Alexander: “I enjoyed visiting Stones River National Battlefield. It’s important Congress works to address the maintenance backlog in our national parks so future generations can enjoy these historic sites. You can learn more about my bill to restore and rebuild our national parks here.”
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Many reached out on social media platforms to express their dismay at his death.
He was an active participant in many Civil War reenactment groups. Those organizations posted tributes to his volunteer work. Smith’s passions included the Middle Tennessee Civil War Round Table and the U.S. Colored Troops Living History Association.
Stones River National Battlefield
“We are saddened by the loss of our long time friend, volunteer and partner, Dr. George Smith,” the Stones River National Battlefield posted on Facebook. “George has served as a driving force behind many of our partnership programs highlighting the role of middle Tennessee African Americans before, during and after the Civil War.”
We are saddened by the loss of our long time friend, volunteer and partner, Dr. George Smith. George has served as a driving force behind many of our partnership programs highlighting the role of middle Tennessee African Americans before, during and after the Civil War.
Visitors to our park will benefit from George’s legacy as we continue to explore and share the stories of slavery, the United States Colored Troops, and the post-war Cemetery Community in and around the battlefield.
Rutherford County Tennessee Historical Society
The Rutherford County Tennessee Historical Society remembered him as a “longtime local historian and community servant,” in a Facebook post, saying that he “passed on to Glory today.”
‘Frank the Computer Guy’ has taken hundreds of thousands of pics over the decades. Dr. George Smith is/was perhaps my favorite person is which to shoot pics.
His countenance, his glow, his spirit was revealed is every pic which featured George.
Community groups
A post in the community Facebook group “Downtown Dwellers” referenced Smith’s work with the Bradley School Museum, Sam Davis Home, Cemetery Community and Fort Negley.
He “was an inspiration to us all. Can’t exaggerate how much his smile & handshake will be missed,” the post said.
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Re-enactors from the Stones River National Battlefield placed a cannon in the middle of Garrison Drive and fired it to start each of Saturday morning’s three Special Kids Races. It was less than a thousand feet from the historic battlefield. Each time the cannon fired, you could not help to think about how different this spot was today from 155-years ago . . .
The seventh annual event was hosted by Murfreesboro Medical Clinic, and since its beginning has raised over a million dollars for Special Kids.
Just minutes before the cannon fired, longtime educator and participant in all seven Special Kids Races, Zane Cantrell told NewsRadio WGNS . . .
Tribute
Rachel and Bryson are this year’s impact Special Kids partners for the 7th annual Special Kids Race. Rachel’s smile is contagious. You can’t help but be energized when you’re around her. Rachel is a nursing and therapy patient. Her brother, Bryson, loves big and is a friend to everyone. Bryson is a peer-model in Special Kids’ “EQUIP” program.
The children’s mother told the runners before the race, “Special Kids is not just a safe place for kids but it’s a safe place for parents. There are times I’ve walked in and teachers will just pray for you. It’s not easy being the parent of a special needs child and a 3-year old as well and we can struggle…I can pour my heart out and they will pour into me and speak God’s word. There’s nowhere else like Special Kids. I am so grateful.”
Special Kids
Special Kids is a Christian therapy and nursing center for children with special needs. The Murfreesboro-based ministry started with one child in 1998 and has grown to serve over 3,700 children from 19 counties in middle Tennessee. For more information on Special Kids, please visit specialkidstn.com or call 615.893.4892.
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Friends of the Stones River Battlefield are not exactly happy about a brand-new distribution center moving into the battlefield area in Murfreesboro. The property in question is at 2150 Northwest Broad Street.
O’Reilly’s, an auto parts store that has more than 5,000 stores in 47 states and 8 stores in Rutherford County, has already bought the property that sits on a battle site. The company plans to use the land to build a new distribution center for Middle Tennessee customers. The center would create about 400 new jobs.
Mike Liles, President of The Friends of the Stones River National Battlefield said they are trying to buy the acreage from O’Reilly’s…
Friends of the Stones River Battlefield invite the public to learn more about the land and future plans for the site during an upcoming meeting this Monday, March 12, 2018. The meeting will be at 5:30 in the evening at New Vision Baptist Church at 1750 North Thompson Lane. The meeting is open to the public.
Hear everything that Liles had to say:
More Information:
O’Reilly’s is an American owned company serves both the professional service providers and do-it-yourself customers’. The company was founded by Charles Francis O’Reilly and his son Charles H. O’Reilly in 1957. By 1961, the company had a sales volume of $1.3 million. In 1975, they grew to 9 stores with a sales volume of $7 million. In 1993, the company became so large they moved to be publicly traded (ORLY on NASDAQ).
With the growth continuing, O’Reilly’s aims to open a distribution center in Murfreesboro at the former location of General Electric. Reports indicate the distribution center will employ about 400 people.
The land that the company plans to build on is a site in which the Battle of Stones River took place. The property has been vacant ever since the old GE plant was torn down and it sits on Northwest Broad Street. The GE plant shut down in 2006 and was later torn down in 2013. See photo to the right from 2013 demolition.
The property backs up to the Artillery Monument and McFadden’s Ford in the preserved battlefield area. The site was central in both days of fighting during the Battle of Stones River.
The Battle of Stones River, also known as the Second Battle of Murfreesboro, was fought from December 31, 1862, to January 2, 1863.
Friends of the Stones River Battlefield invite the public to learn more about the land and future plans for the site during an upcoming meeting on Monday, March 12, 2018. The meeting will be at 5:30 in the evening at New Vision Baptist Church at 1750 North Thompson Lane. The meeting is open to the public.
Below: Photo from the Stones River Battlefield
Kevin Douglass Greene, great-great-grandson of famed abolitionist Frederick Douglass, encouraged the community to help youth turn dreams into goals at Middle Tennessee State University’s Unity Luncheon on Thursday.
Kevin Douglass Greene, descendant of former slave and abolitionist Frederick Douglass, addresses MTSU’s 2018 Unity Luncheon Feb. 15 in the Student Union Ballroom. (Photo: Andy Heidt)
“We encourage them to dream. We need to provide the tools for them to plan. Don’t tell them to dream and then (tell them to) go on out there and figure out how you’re going to do it. … A dream is just a dream until you put plans in place to reach goals,” Greene said. “It’s our responsibility as adults and educators and public servants … to provide those tools.”
Greene, a human resources specialist with the Veterans Administration for the past 10 years and a U.S. Army veteran, served as keynote speaker at the 22nd annual luncheon that drew around 300 guests.
“Challenge them, provide for them and create a world where people can unite and make for a better tomorrow,” said Green, who discussed his family heritage in an informal roundtable conversation following the luncheon.
In addition to celebrating Black History Month, the luncheon recognizes unsung heroes who have made the community “a better place to live,” MTSU President Sidney McPhee told the crowd.
“The name of this luncheon is very apropos in this environment in which we are living in the 21st century in America … unity bringing people together, respecting differences and acknowledging achievement. This is what MTSU is all about,” McPhee said.
The theme of this year’s MTSU’s Black History Month celebration is “African-Americans in Times of War: Current Day Warriors for Social Justice.”
Honorees this year include:
• John Harris, the first full-time director of Disabled Student Services at MTSU, recognized as an advocate for civility.
• Mary R. Patterson Watkins, a board member for Generation for Creation and Kids Creativity Art and accomplished artist and playwright, recognized for her contributions to African-American arts.
• Barbara Tuckson, former chair of the Southern Association Accreditation of Schools Committee and retired teacher and principal, recognized for her lifetime in service to education.
• Raymond Bonner, first African-American from MTSU to be drafted by the National Football League and current member of the MTSU track and field coaching staff, recognized for his excellence in sports.
• Anthony McAdoo, co-founder of Murfreesboro’s first Habitat for Humanity ReStore and former teacher with Journeys in Community Living, recognized for his years of community service
A new award was added to the luncheon this year. Barbara Scales, director of MTSU’s June Anderson Center for Women and Nontraditional Students, was awarded the inaugural Unsung Staff Award.
To learn about future events on MTSU’s Black History Month calendar, visit mtsu.edu/aahm/docs/2017-aahm-calendar2.pdf.
]]>Following the Civil War, a Freedmen’s community known as Cemetery emerged on the landscape where the Battle of Stones River had raged.
Park rangers along with representatives of the African American Heritage Society of Rutherford County, the Friends of Stones River National Battlefield and Middle Tennessee State University will take visitors to several sites where they will meet the residents of Cemetery and learn how they overcame many challenges and forge new lives in freedom.
The tour will begin at the park visitor center at 1 PM. The tour will take approximately 90 minutes.
We recommend you pre-register to reserve a seat on our 60-passenger bus. You can register by calling 615-893-9501 or emailing us at [email protected]
Edith Ann Clark Moore stands in front of the home her grandfather, Mel Malone, built in the Cemetery Community. Although the home is in disrepair, she hopes to restore it. She presented a program during a Stones River National Battlefield tour spotlighting the Cemetery Community. (Photo Tom BeckwithDNJ)
The old community of Cemetery – Mt. Olivet Church, 1992
The old community of Cemetery – Van Cleve Lane
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O’Reilly Auto Parts’ second traffic plan for a proposed distribution center in Murfreesboro calls for modifying Thompson Lane and widening Northwest Broad Street, in addition to erecting a traffic signal.
The ‘Old General Electric Property’ is located just to the north of the intersection of N.W. Broad and Thompson Lane.
The auto parts company, which bought the former General Electric property in 2017, resubmitted a traffic proposal in December after getting a bad review on its first one and was to send in a site plan based on its traffic plan.
The city’s planning, engineering and transportation staff this fall identified errors in the company’s traffic study and “major flaws” in its ability to “adequately address traffic,” according to city spokesman Mike Browning.
But it hasn’t gotten the warmest reception here, mainly because of the site’s location at Northwest Broad and Thompson Lane, a heavily-traveled area near Stones River National Battlefield.
City officials said the O’Reilly facility doesn’t match Murfreesboro’s “vision” for development in the area, according to Scott Kraus, an O’Reilly executive. And Mike Liles, president of Friends of Stones River National Battlefield, tried to forge an agreement to buy the property from O’Reilly to keep the development away from a portion of the federal park.
O’Reilly is puzzled about the opposition, since the property is zoned for Heavy Industrial use, but it still hopes to build here, considering it’s “very strategic” for business, with six stores already located in the area. The company even agreed to sell the land to a third party to go along with Liles’ proposal, but that didn’t work out.
Liles, who hoped the Civil War Trust could team with the city of Murfreesboro to buy the land, is still looking for money. A request for funding from the Christy-Houston Foundation fell through.
With that part of the equation on hold, O’Reilly is moving forward with its plans.
“We’ve been in the community. We want to continue to be in the community. It’s a significant part of our growth in Tennessee. … It’s a good fit for us. We want it to be a win-win for everybody and get us operating there,” Kraus said.
If approved through the entire planning process, all of O’Reilly’s recommended improvements would be paid for by the developer, including the traffic signals, turning lanes and other improvements, according to Browning.
The traffic plan calls for several changes for the plan, which would have access points on Northwest Broad and Thompson Lane:
- Westbound Northwest Broad Street should be widened to three lanes from the intersection at Thompson Lane to a point 1,500 feet east of Van Cleave Lane. At this point, the additional third through lane should be tapered back to the existing two-lane configuration.
- The Northwest Broad Street access would be aligned with an existing median cut and located across from an existing private driveway.
- The internal road network on the site would be modified to improve flow and create more room for vehicles entering and leaving the site.
- The southbound approach to the Northwest Broad access should have a five-lane cross-section with two northbound lanes and three southbound lanes.
- The intersection of Northwest Broad and the site access should be signalized and include permissive left-turn phases for minor street approaches. Consideration should be given to operating the signal in flashing mode during low traffic periods.
- An exclusive right turn lane should be installed on the westbound approach on Northwest Broad at the site access.
- An exclusive left turn land should be installed in the existing median on the eastbound approach of Northwest Broad.
- The westbound approach at the intersection of Thompson Lane and Northwest Broad should be restriped to include two left turn lanes, two through lanes and a shared through/right turn lane in conjunction with the widening of NW Broad just west of this intersection.
- The traffic signal at Northwest Broad and Thompson should be modified to include right turn overlap phases for the east, north and southbound approaches.
- At the Thompson Lane access, a stop sign should be installed to control traffic, and the road should be designed to include one lane for entering traffic and one lane for existing traffic.
Besides 425 employees, the distribution center would use 28 freight trucks and 61 delivery trucks. Most of the employee traffic would start at 5 a.m. when workers start arriving at the site and continue through 6 a.m. Freight trucks would arrive at an average of four per hour throughout the day, with more coming in during the early hours, in addition to delivery trucks arriving and leaving periodically.
Members of the Rutherford County community gathered at Stones River National Cemetery to honor veterans during the Christmas season as part of Wreaths Across America Day.
Present were Civil Air Patrol (CAP) cadets, the Young Marines of Rutherford County, several Boys Scout troops, Girl Scout troops gathering wreath donations and will conduct the Wreaths Across America ceremony this year at Stones River National Cemetery.
Wreaths Across America honors our fallen military hero’s by placing a simple wreath at the grave of a Veteran in remembrance of their service to the Nation. Over 600,000 Wreaths are placed each year at 900 national cemeteries.
Specially designated wreaths for the Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, Merchant Marine and POW/MIA are presented and placed at the Cemetery flag pole, near the center of the National Cemetery. Additional wreaths decorate graves throughout the National Cemetery honoring veterans from the Civil War through Vietnam.
Members of the Rutherford County community gathered at Stones River National Cemetery to honor veterans during the Christmas season as part of Wreaths Across America Day.
Present were Civil Air Patrol (CAP) cadets, the Young Marines of Rutherford County, several Boys Scout troops, Girl Scout troops gathering wreath donations and will conduct the Wreaths Across America ceremony this year at Stones River National Cemetery.
Wreaths Across America honors our fallen military hero’s by placing a simple wreath at the grave of a Veteran in remembrance of their service to the Nation. Over 600,000 Wreaths are placed each year at 900 national cemeteries.
Specially designated wreaths for the Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, Merchant Marine and POW/MIA are presented and placed at the Cemetery flag pole, near the center of the National Cemetery. Additional wreaths decorate graves throughout the National Cemetery honoring veterans from the Civil War through Vietnam.
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The Battle of Stones river took place 155 years ago as of this month. The event will be remembered at the Stones River National Battlefield December 26th through January 2nd.Again, the 155th anniversary for the Battle of Stones River will be commemorated on December 26th through January 2nd at the Stones River National Battlefield in Murfreesboro.
Program Schedule:
December 26-29, 2017:
11 AM – The Approaching Thunder – Join a ranger at the Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce visitor center as he uses their outdoor map to explain the Stones River Campaign events that played out 155 years ago to the day. (30 minutes)
1 PM – Stones River Stories – Listen as a park ranger tells the story of a soldier or unit on the ground where they fought in the Battle of Stones River. (30 minutes)
2 PM – Battlefield Caravan Tour – Follow a ranger in your car and stop at several key locations as you explore the places and people that make up the Battle of Stones River story. (90 minutes)
Saturday December 30, 2017:
Walk the ground where some of the most pivotal events of the Battle of Stones River unfolded at the exact time the occurred 154 years ago. Groups will meet at the visitor center. Some programs will require driving to the starting point. Each walk will last about an hour and include infantry and artillery demonstrations.
11 AM – The Slaughter Pen
1 PM – Hell’s Half Acre
3 PM – Building a New Line of Defense
Sunday December 31, 2017:
11 AM – The Pioneers Make a Stand
1 PM – Fighting for the Nashville Pike
Monday January 1, 2018:
11 AM – The Eye of the Storm – Learn about the quiet but critical events of New Year’s Day that shaped the outcome of the Battle of Stones River. (30 minutes)
1 PM – First Day Hike – Follow a ranger and explore the battlefield while discovering the many layers of history on the landscape. Be sure to dress appropriately for a 4+ mile hike and bring snacks and plenty of water. (3 Hours)
2 PM – Forever Free – The Battle of Stones River provided a victory to support the Emancipation Proclamation. Join a discussion of that document and how it shaped the outcome and aftermath of our Civil War. (30 minutes)
Tuesday January 2, 2018:
“The Very Forest Seemed to Fall” Join living historians near the banks of the Stones River as they present artillery demonstrations and talks highlighting the final attack of the battle of Stones River and its bloody consequences.
Programs will take place at 1, 2, 3 & 4 PM.
]]>Northfield Boulevard will be extended from Broad Street to Thompson Lane in the Gateway area, the Murfreesboro Planning Commission decided Wednesday.
The Northfield project is a part of the 2040 Major Thoroughfare Plan that the officials adopted before a room with about 50 audience members, including Joey Peay, the chief executive officer of a Murfreesboro Medical Clinic located near where the boulevard would be enxtended.
“I’m actually in favor of it,” Peay said in being one of the eight people to speak about the road projects during a public hearing.
This rendering from the Murfreesboro 2040 Major Thoroughfare Plan shows how the city seeks to extend Northfield Boulevard (red line in east-west direction) from Broad Street to Thompson Lane. The Murfreesboro Planning Commission adopted the road plans Wednesday night (Nov. 8, 2017).
(Photo: Submitted)
City Engineer Chris Griffith told Peay that the estimated $25 million Northfield extension would reach Thompson by the Stones River National Battlefield entrance. The complex project will include a bridge that would cross the Stones River, and either another bridge over the CSX railroad or a tunnel under the lines, Griffith said.
“This is a much needed project,” said Griffith, who noted that the city has looked at the extension possibility for many years. “It’s a project we’d like to get started on almost immediately. If we get started today, we’ll be lucky if we’re driving down it in 10 years.”
2040 plan will cost $1 billion
City Environmental Engineer Sam Huddleston noted how the Northfield extension will help many neighborhoods connect to the Gateway area’s medical services and other businesses. The Gateway area includes Saint Thomas Rutherford Hospital and TrustPoint Hospital.
“We think it’s a very beneficial project,” Huddleston said.
The 2040 plan has 76 road projects that will cost about $1 billion, Huddeston said.
The city since 1997 has spent about $350 million on 83 completed road projects. Another $317 million is committed on 30 projects from federal, state, Rutherford County, city and private development funding, Huddleston said.
The road planning is part of the city’s 2035 Comprehensive Plan to help guide development. Consultants who worked on the plan project the city will have a population of about 228,000 residents by 2035. Murfreesboro reached a U.S. Census estimated population of 131,947 on July 1, 2016.
Reach Scott Broden at 615-278-5158 or [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @ScottBroden.
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