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Civil War Historical Commission updates markers and audio tour; city staff previews Carter Hill park expansion

Board of Mayor and Aldermen · February 25, 2026

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Summary

Franklin City’s Civil War Historical Commission reported progress on a citywide wayfinding plan, 8 of 22 U.S. Army line markers installed and an audio‑tour expansion; staff previewed a Carter Hill Battlefield Park master plan that would repurpose part of Straw Street and said the city will meet on‑site with residents before final decisions.

Emily, the city’s preservation planner, presented the Civil War Historical Commission’s annual report, telling the Board the commission completed a historic wayfinding plan and installed red wayfinding signs across Franklin late 2024–early 2025. Emily said the commission has installed 8 of 22 U.S. Army defensive line markers related to the Battle of Franklin (Nov. 30, 1864) and expects to order the remaining 14 by the end of the fiscal year. She also said the commission is expanding a Historic Parks audio tour and that about 85% of the tour transcripts are drafted and available on the city’s new online platform.

Alderman Roland Caesar asked whether the remaining markers would be installed in a single celebration or phased. Caesar said the installations are important public moments for the city; Emily replied staff hopes to have the markers ordered by the end of the fiscal year and will coordinate installations with the Streets Department and public‑engagement opportunities. Emily suggested the audio tour platform could include geolocated pins to help visitors, teachers and students locate and learn about the line markers.

The board then heard a related presentation on the Carter Hill Park master plan. Lisa (city staff) said the plan was developed with the Battle of Franklin Trust and that the city expects to own both sides of Straw Street by June 2026. “It’s not an abandonment of the roadway, but it would be a repurposing of the roadway,” she said, describing options such as turf, trails and other park amenities and emphasizing the need to meet with adjacent residents on‑site to review plans and gather input. Lisa and other staff said the city will coordinate with the Battle of Franklin Trust (which maintains some grounds), the Streets and Engineering departments, and the consulting team before returning to the board for additional review.

Board members asked staff to give residents opportunities to review plans in person and requested notice of public meetings; staff said they would set a time for on‑site neighborhood meetings and provide information to the board. No formal vote was taken during the work session; staff described the presentations as initial briefings and next steps include resident outreach and further commission review.