A National Park service crew from the Historic Preservation Training Center in Frederick, Md. will be conducting rehabilitation work on the historic wall that surrounds the Orchard Knob Reservation. This HPCT crew, which is made up of masons, will be cleaning the stone wall, re-pointing joints, and replacing broken or missing cap stones.
The projected work is scheduled to take place from Feb. 4-March 28.
The areas directly surrounding the wall will be temporarily closed to protect the public while the crew completes this important preservation work. The park staff apologizes for any inconvenience that these activities may cause visitors
This preservation work is timely as the National Military Park prepares to commemorate the 150th Anniversary of the Civil War events that occurred around Chattanooga in 1863, officials said. On Nov. 23, 1863, Confederate sentries atop Orchard Knob watched as blue coated lines moved in front of their position. By the end of the day Orchard Knob had fallen into Union hands. On Nov. 25, Orchard Knob became General Ulysses S. Grant’s forward observation post as he watched the Federal forces assault Missionary Ridge.
The land that became the Orchard Knob Reservation was purchased by the federal government in 1893. The grey cut-stone wall with crenelated entrance pillars and decorative iron gates was completed in 1899.