Some time ago I had submitted the following as an article to the Hart County Historical Society. The fine folks there, while liking the premises of what I had submitted, was leery of printing the article in their newsletter - there seems to be a bit of localized politics and perhaps the article might have ruffled some feathers that they would rather like to avoid. Of course, those who know me know I do not mind doing that very thing, so I present the following. In no way, shape, or form do I mean any disrespect to the fine folks at the historical society, and there are some things in the works at Munfordville/Rowlett's Station, that would address a few of the topics I mention below.
Rowlett’s Station, or I should say the battle there, has become a bit of a niche interest for me, particularly when studying the Cincinnati Germans in Company F of the Thirty-Second Indiana Infantry.
First, to be clear, I am an outsider. I live in Cincinnati and am a full three hours drive by vehicle from Munfordville. But I still have a fascination with the engagement at Rowlett’s Station, and so when I made it a point of visiting the battlefield for a more in depth dive in February, I was admittedly bothered by how the Rowlett’s Station battlefield looked. Without a weed whacker one could not access the three interpretive panels located in the core portion of the battlefield. As a matter of fact I happened to have my hand weeder with me, and spent quite some time clearing the path just to the first sign. At that point I realized I would be there for hours trying to access the other two interpretive panels if I cleared a path, and I was not going to rip up my clothes on the briars and brambles if I did not cut my way forward. The southern portion of the battlefield, where the Texas monument is located, is easy to access, but does not have any clear pulloff. I left feeling frustrated from my visit, and yet also filled with ideas on how the Rowlett’s Station battlefield could be made into one of those sites that battlefield trampers and weekend tourists would enjoy visiting, especially considering the close proximity and easy drive from Interstate 65.
With the loss of access of the core of the Munfordville battlefield (apparently due to some personal issues that I am not, nor care to be, privy to), more of a focus could be placed on Rowlett’s Station. After all, it is more noticeable being along U. S. 31W and easier to access than the rest of the preserve. In order to do this, funds and labor would be needed to bring the current two parcels of the Rowlett’s Station battlefield into a more public friendly state. The following are suggestions on what could be completed and how the items might be achieved.
Create two distinct battlefield districts for Rowlett’s Station. The northern district would have a focus on the Federal forces while the southern district would feature the Confederates present at the battle. A possible third district, the Western, would have a focus on the siege of Munfordville, but is beyond the scope of this article.
The Northern District
Signage
Adding signs not only help with directions and locating the sites, but they are also draw curiosity from passersby. Curiosity can lead to future support.
A Battle for the Bridge Preserve sign that designates the Northern District of the Rowlett’s Station battlefield should be added at the intersection of Highway 31W and the gravel lane that leads to the Rowlett’s Station trailhead.
Request that the state historical marker across from Miller Lumber be moved to the Southern District so that the location of Terry’s death would be more accurately represented. Verbiage on the sign indicates he died 400 yards east of the current sign location, which would incorrectly suggest the trailhead area. Terry died to the west of 31W in the Southern District.
Improvements
Making the battlefield accessible, through both physical and visual means, leads to more visitation. These are just some of the ways the area could be improved.
Adding additional gravel along the lane to the trailhead would improve conditions, and indicate to visitors that this is indeed the correct lane to access.
Adding gravel pulloff/parking area near the trailhead defines the proper space to be used for parking.
Adding a trash bin encourages visitors to keep the battlefield looking pristine.
Develop a trail system that accesses the current signs as well as creates a connection to the Southern District. This is important for those wanting to get a feel for the terrain as well as for potential guided tours.
Establish a regular schedule of trail mowing and keep the trails six to eight feet in width to allow group usage.
Installing a flagpole near the trailhead and fly a 34 star United States flag which will add to the visual draw to bring people to the location, as well as adds a touch of historical feel. The flagpole could be enhanced with solar lighting.
Adding a section of split rail fencing near the trailhead parking area adds another historical visual element as well as indicates that this ground holds significance.
A section of fencing could also be added at the intersection of 31W and the gravel lane, indicating that “this is the place.”
A major effort would be adding split rail fencing along the property boundary on 31W. This reflects what visitors see at national sites and clearly defines the eastern boundary of the property.
A yearly cleaning of signage should be part of the Park Day event. Visitors who see dirty signs may walk away thinking there is a lack of interest.
Obtain original designs for the interpretive signs in order to have replacements made.
The Southern District
Many of the same thoughts listed above would be applicable to the Southern District.
Signage
Add a Battle for the Bridge Preserve sign that designates the Southern District of the Rowlett’s Station battlefield is needed at the intersection of Highway 31W and the added pulloff.
Improvements
Create pulloff – if the Kentucky Department of Transportation will not allow a pulloff along 31W then work Hart County to establish a designated area for parking along the south fairground lane.
Add a flagpole to fly Confederate First National and/or Terry’s Texas Rangers flag, adding once again to the visual element.
Clean signs annually.
Secure easements from the land owners to create a trail that connects the two districts. This easement would run behind the houses on the western side of 31W and parallel to the railroad so as to avoid intrusion. Signs indicating to stay on the trail would need to be added.
Add split rail fencing near pulloff to draw visitors in while clearly marking the parking area.
Add a trash bin to keep the area clean.
Now that we have created the two districts, creating more tourism (and the dollars they bring to local restaurants, motels, and gas stations) by adding overall Preserve improvements is also needed.
Overall Improvements
Signage to bring them to the Preserve.
I-65 battlefield preserve signs (costly and need to work with KDOT to have this done). But if the small battle at Wild Cat Mountain along Interstate 75 can do this, certainly it can be managed for Munfordville/Rowlett’s Station.
Approaching from the south at Exit 58, using the historic L and N Turnpike Road to the Preserve.
Another alternative is to bring visitors via Horse Cave, creating a driving trail that approximates the Confederate approach.
Approaching from the north from Exit 65, bringing visitors through town, which will enhance tourism dollars.
Add directional signs to the various portions of the preserve (another area to work with KDOT).
Land Purchase
Write grants for battlefield study to identify core parcels. The American Battlefield Protection Program awards grants for various reasons, including battlefield development plans.
Work with the American Battlefield Trust for purchasing properties as they come on the market. While the core of Rowlett’s Station battlefield is mostly preserved, there are parcels on the east side of 31W that saw fighting, as well as parcels located between the Northern and Southern Districts that might become available.
Work with local land owners for easements as opposed to outright land purchase.
Sharing the Love
Create a flyer about the efforts and the organization to place at tourism destinations and local businesses.
Post consistently on social media platforms, meaning at least two to three posts per week, to stay relevant.
Benefits
More awareness to the Battle for the Bridge Preserve and increased membership, which in turn means more funds, more volunteers, and more tourism dollars for Hart County.
Enhancing the Rowlett’s Station battlefield provides a community green space for walking, bird watching, and other nature-related activities. In the future additional signage could be added to discuss the natural features of the Preserve.
Getting it Done
Yep, it is time for the rubber to meet the road. None of this is easy – well, some of the tasks are a little easier to tackle – but it takes money, volunteers, and time. I imagine that many within the organization work full time and already donate plenty of time and money. That it is why it is important to increase membership – more members means more volunteers. Using the old 10% rule (meaning that in most organizations no more than 10% of the membership would be involved on some level), aiming to increase membership will bring more passionate people to the ”cause.” Having the ability to join online is a giant step as visitors to the website may be motivated to join - no matter where in the world they live!
Split rails can be installed during Park Day and other events. Partner with the Friends of Perryville Battlefield for their process on fence building.
Use Facebook several times a week. Posts can be scheduled in advance to make it easier to post on a consistent basis.
Allow a living history encampment to take place on the property. This would bring attention to the site.
Funding
We all know it is all about the money, so here are a few ideas on how to raise the funds needed to create a Rowlett’s Station Battlefield experience.
Hold a split rails campaign drive. Interested parties can sponsor a rail or a section of rails. The Friends of Perryille Battlefield have done this to great success. Add an option to the website to allow rail sponsorships.
Farming lease to mow for hay in the Northern District. The lease should be affordable for a local farmer to wants to bale hay, and it would also bring a few dollars to the organization.
Hold an annual fundraising drive that includes a tour of the battlefield and a talk at the museum. Could either be admission based or donations. The Buffington Island Battlefield Preservation Foundation, of which I served as vice-chair, have added numerous members to their rolls by hosting tours – anyone who donates the standard rate of membership becomes a member. Memberships are an important part of funding.
Create a specific fund for accepting donations to be used for the Rowlett’s Station Battlefield.
Hold a GoFundMe donation drive. Provide specific goals for each drive (example - $1000.00 for purchase and installation of flagpoles, $500.00 for gravel, $250.00 for signs, etc.)
Ask for donations of gravel, trash bins, etc., from local businesses.
Hold fundraising dinners at local restaurants in which 10% of the proceeds are donated to the organization.
What You & I Can Help With
Perhaps your thoughts by this point might be, “Okay, Mr. Outsider, it is fine and dandy to have these ideas, but what are YOU going to help with?” A fair thought. Living three hours away precludes the ability to do much work on the ground, but there are ways that I, and for that matter anyone living any distance from the battlefield, to be involved.
I can assist the Facebook page with posts, set up a GoFundMe page, and help keep the website content fresh. I used to do these things for Buffington Island Battlefield Preservation Foundation (BIBPF).
I can help promote via the Western Theater site and group that I help to admin. The group has five thousand members and a broad reach.
I am willing to contact Michael Peake, who wrote the book on Rowlett’s Station, to see if he would lead tours and give a talk. (Actually, I have already contacted him and he appears interested).
Using Mailchimp (a free service) I can create an occasional email reminder/message to the current membership list with updates on what events are happening as well as what progress is being made. This is another task I did for the BIBPF.
I could reach out to heritage groups and reenactor organisations that might have a connection/interest to the Thirty-Second Indiana (that had men from Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and Tennessee within its ranks), the Eighth Texas Cavalry (Terry’s Texas Rangers), and the Arkansas infantry. These groups might not only attend events, but might be willing to sponsor signs or fence rails.
In Conclusion
There are a litany of things that could be done to make Rowlett’s Station a desired tour stop. The above are just some ways to turn Rowlett’s Station into one of of the Preserve’s focal areas. I am happy to talk about this in more detail with anyone who wants to be a part of developing this oft-overlooked action into a more inviting and developed attraction. Send an email to darryl@walkingwithhistory.com.