There is a group that is planning on building a huge development on part of the Chancellorsville Battlefield. Among other things, it will include 2,000+ houses, a golf course, and an office park. To do this, the local government has to approve the rezoning of the property, which is currently a farm. You can read more about it and sign an online petition here:
http://www.chancellorsville.org
You can read about the battle here:
http://www.civilwarhome.com/chancell.htm
http://www.nps.gov/frsp/cville.htm
-Patrick
Chancellorsville Battlefield
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White Leopard
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Battlefields Under Attack
This is part of an on-going process in the area. An interesting book to read would be Confederates in the Attic by Tony Horowitz. It deals mostly with the memory of the Civil War in America and the South and has an extensive section dealing with re-enactors and the on-going controversy over the development of the "sacred" soil of Virginia.
A few years ago the Walt Disney Corporation tried to aquire land and build a theme park in close proximity to and on part of the Manassas battleground. The park was to have a patriotic theme but would be a theme park nevertheless, with all the rides and amusements one usually finds in such places.
Strong and determined local opposition finally forced Disney to abandon the project. I can't say that I am sorry it failed. Mickey Mouse would be an absurd neighbor for Stonewall Jackson.
In spite of this victory, I fear that most of the land where the Civil War was fought in Virginia will go the route of suburbs and strip malls. The urban area around Washington D.C. will spread like a cancer over most of North and Northeastern Virginia and all that will eventually remain will be whatever is enclosed inside of federal and state parks and monuments. Such is the way of progress. :roll:
A few years ago the Walt Disney Corporation tried to aquire land and build a theme park in close proximity to and on part of the Manassas battleground. The park was to have a patriotic theme but would be a theme park nevertheless, with all the rides and amusements one usually finds in such places.
Strong and determined local opposition finally forced Disney to abandon the project. I can't say that I am sorry it failed. Mickey Mouse would be an absurd neighbor for Stonewall Jackson.In spite of this victory, I fear that most of the land where the Civil War was fought in Virginia will go the route of suburbs and strip malls. The urban area around Washington D.C. will spread like a cancer over most of North and Northeastern Virginia and all that will eventually remain will be whatever is enclosed inside of federal and state parks and monuments. Such is the way of progress. :roll:
I have read Confederates in the Attic, which is a great read. I seem to recall the situation with the Disney theme park, but I've been to Manassas recently and the traffic/development situation in and around it is pretty poor. I remember having been at the Chancellorsville Battlefield only about 10 years ago--the development that's gone on in that are is unbelieveable.
Unfortunately, I have to agree with you--any non-protected battlefields in that area will be swallowed up soon if they haven't been already.
BTW, if you've read Confederates in the Attic, stop by the Ogler's General Store near Petersburg--it's a pretty interesting place.
-Patrick
Unfortunately, I have to agree with you--any non-protected battlefields in that area will be swallowed up soon if they haven't been already.
BTW, if you've read Confederates in the Attic, stop by the Ogler's General Store near Petersburg--it's a pretty interesting place.
-Patrick