Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park |
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Recreated artillery position on Kennesaw Mountain
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 Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park
Location in Georgia (U.S. state)
Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park
Location in the United States
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| Location | Cobb County, Georgia, USA |
| Nearest city | Atlanta, GA |
| Area | 2,888.14 acres (11.6879 km2) 2,923 acres (11.8 km2) federal |
| Established | February 18, 1917 |
| Visitors | 1,005,510 (in 2005) |
| Governing body | National Park Service |
| Website | Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park |
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Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park
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| Nearest city | Marietta, Georgia |
| Area | 2,923 acres (1,182.9 ha) |
| Built | 1933 |
| Architect | Peter Valentine Kolb |
| Architectural style | Federal, Moderne |
| NRHP reference No. | 66000063 |
| Added to NRHP | October 15, 1966 |
Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park is a special place that protects a Civil War battleground. It also includes Kennesaw Mountain itself. You can find it between Marietta and Kennesaw, Georgia. The name "Kennesaw" comes from the Cherokee Indian word "Gah-nee-sah", which means "cemetery" or burial ground. This area became a U.S. historic district on October 15, 1966.
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A Famous Battle
The Battle of Kennesaw Mountain happened here during the Civil War. It was fought between June 18 and July 2, 1864. General William Tecumseh Sherman led the Union army, and General Joseph E. Johnston led the Confederate army.
Armies and Strategy
General Sherman's army was very large, with about 100,000 soldiers, 254 cannons, and 35,000 horses. General Johnston's army was smaller, with 50,000 soldiers and 187 cannons. Johnston had set up strong defenses to stop Sherman's advance. This time, Sherman decided to attack head-on.
Where the Battle Took Place
Most of the fighting didn't happen on Kennesaw Mountain itself. It took place on a smaller hill called Pigeon Hill and the area south of it, known as Cheatham Hill. This area is sometimes called the Dead Angle. About 5,350 soldiers died during this battle. Even though it was seen as a Confederate victory, Johnston's army still moved back afterward.
Exploring the Park
Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park was first set up on February 18, 1917. It became a national battlefield park on June 26, 1935. Like other historic places managed by the National Park Service, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1966.
What You Can See and Do
The park covers about 2,923 acres (11.8 km2). It protects important Civil War battlegrounds from the Atlanta Campaign. There are three main battle areas to explore:
- One is near the Visitor Center.
- Another is off Burnt Hickory Road.
- The third and largest is at Cheatham Hill, also known as the Dead Angle.
You can also visit Peter Valentine Kolb's farm house, which has been restored to how it looked during the war. A smaller battle happened there.
Visitor Center and Trails
The Visitor Center has an information desk, a museum, and a theater. You can watch movies there to learn about the battle. The park has about 17.3 miles (27.8 km) of hiking trails. As you walk, you can see old earthworks (defensive walls made of dirt), places where cannons were set up, and signs that explain the history.
Monuments and Mountain Views
There are three monuments in the park that honor soldiers from Illinois, Texas, and Georgia who fought here. Kennesaw Mountain is 1,808 feet (551 m) above sea level. From the Visitor Center, it's about a 664-foot (202 m) climb to the top of the mountain. The hike up is about 1.4 miles (2.3 km) on the road or 1.1 miles (1.8 km) on the trail.
Why the Park is Important
Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield was created to protect this historic site in 1917. It became part of the National Park System in 1933. This 2,923-acre (11.8 km2) battlefield was where some of the toughest fighting of the Civil War's Atlanta Campaign took place. The park was set aside to inspire people and help them understand the important events that happened here.
Protecting the Park
Because Atlanta, Georgia is growing, there are worries that the park might get too much use. It's important to protect this special place so that everyone can continue to learn from its history and enjoy its natural beauty.
- Official NPS website: Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park
Images for kids
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Summit of Kennesaw Mountain, summer afternoon thunderstorms approaching
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Monument to Illinois soldiers at Cheatham Hill (The Dead Angle)
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Panoramic View from the Summit of Kennesaw Mountain (Click to enlarge)
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Another Panoramic View from the Summit of Kennesaw Mountain (Click to enlarge)
