The Kennesaw Civil War Museum has become The Southern Museum of Civil War and Locomotive History. It opened on March 30, 2003. We have left this page on-line for historical reference.

What a treat.

The Kennesaw Civil War Museum (formerly the Big Shanty Museum) is an information-packed excursion into area Civil War history and one event in particular -- The Great Locomotive Chase. Their web site proclaims "America's favorite locomotive--America's favorite railroad story" and they are right. The story of The General, The Texas and the men that rode each locomotive into history is as compelling today as it was in 1862.

"All aboard" cries the conductor in the short movie that retells the story of April 12th, 1862. The museum introduces each man who had a role in the escapade including all the Union spies (misguided boys from Ohio and Kentucky) and gives an overview of the situation before the chase.

Following the chase from its start in Atlanta to its end north of Ringgold, Georgia, the museum provides interesting exhibits into many of the aspects of the event. The centerpiece, however, is The General itself. Restored by the old Louisville and Nashville (L&N) Railroad in time for the 1962 centennial, the huge locomotive dominates all the Civil War exhibits in this former cotton warehouse.

Pictures trace the life of the General and Texas, from their birth in Paterson, New Jersey until their last days of service. Displayed in both Chattanooga and Nashville, the General visited many of the Civil War veterans gatherings in the South.

A gift shop in the museum has many items relating to The Great Locomotive Chase including a Buster Keaton movie and a Disney movie, and a video that includes vintage footage of the restoration, highlights from the Keaton film and a recently discovered short film from 1913 about the chase.

Additional links of interest:
The Great Locomotive Chase
Railroad Links
Southern Museum of Civil War and Locomotive History web site

Location: Downtown Kennesaw
Directions: Take I-75 Exit 273 west (Wade Green Road). This turns into Cherokee Street. The museum is just before the railroad tracks on the right. Ample parking is available across the street from the museum.
Additional information:

Date added: November 16, 2003
Last update: May 7, 2008