Front of the Southern Museum of Civil War and Locomotive History

Take a look at two integral parts of Southern (and Northern, for that matter) history at the new Southern Museum of Civil War and Locomotive History. We were at first apprehensive when told of the coming changes some five years ago, but the museum has been dramatically reworked, including a massive expansion, and it is a shining star in Georgia's crown jewels of tourist attractions.

Originally a turn of the century cotton gin owned by William Frey, the museum has expanded around the original building and incorporates expanded displays on the Civil War and the Glover Locomotive Works that had been located in Marietta, just a few miles south of the museum. Ticket booths at the start of the tour represent what a Western and Atlantic booth might have looked like sometime after the Civil War. During the tour follow the railroad track that marks the pathway through the museum.

First is a series of displays highlighting the museum's Civil War collection. Many of these items have been donated to the museum by families with an interest in preservation. For example, a uniform worn by a soldier at nearby Camp MacDonald was on display when we visited. Behind the cases are sketches of places where Georgians played a pivotal role in the battle (such as Burnside's Bridge at Antietam) or battles in Georgia, like the vivid recreation of the Battle of Allatoona Pass.

From this introduction the focus shifts to the Locomotive History of the South, told through the Glover Locomotive works. This section, titled Glover Machine Works: Casting a New South is an engrossing look at both how a locomotive is built, and how the locomotive helped build the post-war South. Included in this section of the museum are two locomotives in different stages of completion, much of the restored equipment from the machine shop, tool and dye equipment, patterns, castings and blueprints.

The railroad tracks take you through a recreation of Tunnel Hill, an important target of the James Andrews and the spies who stole The General. The tunnel takes you into a completely remodeled Frey's Gin, which The General has called home since April 12, 1972. The massive American 4-0-0, which was completely restored for the Civil War Centennial by the Louisville and Nashville Railroad is still the highlight of the museum, a wonder to behold and still a riveting piece of history. Harper Harris, General Manager and Museum Historian spent a few minutes detailing the history behind this incredible locomotive for us.

Important Links
The Great Locomotive Chase
"Biography" of the General
Names of Andrew's Raiders, their pursuers, and the locomotives involved
Southern Museum of Civil War and Locomotive History web site