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Franklin Relics Found at Golf Course

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  • Franklin Relics Found at Golf Course

    Typical golf course sights include sand traps, squirrels, perfectly mowed grass and maybe even a lost ball or two. But at one Tennessee course, the scene is significantly more exciting.

    According to a story on WSMV.com, local historians and archaeologists in Franklin, Tenn., recently discovered some buried treasure at an old golf course. After clearing out a sand trap at the Country Club of Franklin this summer, the group uncovered several relics dating back to 1862.

    Treasures included buckles, spoons, bullets, a cannon ball, a hotchkiss shell and other items -- not a bad bounty for one little sand trap. Historians say the artifacts can help shed light on the role Franklin played in the Civil War.

    Though the Battle of Franklin in 1864 was well-documented (it's considered one of the bloodiest fights of the entire war), these items can help paint a picture of what was happening before and after that historic battle.

    And archaeologists may be in for even more surprises: So far, the group only surveyed the one sand trap. The course still holds 110 unexplored acres.

    Drew

    "God knows, as many posts as go up on this site everyday, there's plenty of folks who know how to type. Put those keyboards to work on a real issue that's tied to the history that we love and obsess over so much." F.B.

    "...mow hay, cut wood, prepare great food, drink schwitzel, knit, sew, spin wool, rock out to a good pinch of snuff and somehow still find time to go fly a kite." N.B.

  • #2
    Re: Franklin Relics Found at Golf Course

    And who says only poor golf shots end up in the sand!? Next time I land on the beach, I'll use my wedge as more than just a club. Dig Dig and Dig some more.
    Heath Potter

    South Union Guards
    Star and Crescent Mess
    A.E.K.D.B.

    Bummers
    Franklin Preservation March
    Backwater 1865

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    • #3
      Re: Franklin Relics Found at Golf Course

      Thanks for sharing that ;) Had a ancestor who fought at Franklin :)
      Craig M. Houchins

      Then, Sir, we will give them the bayonet!

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      • #4
        Re: Franklin Relics Found at Golf Course

        Has anyone asked where the sand came from? Golf course sand is not a naturally occuring soil type in Franklin.

        I'm not saying they didn't find this stuff on the golf course, I just think it is interesting they found it digging in sand that was imported to the site and they announced the find just a couple of days before the town is inundated with visitors for the re-burial of the "Union" soldier. They made sure the find got a lot of local news coverage. But, really, stuff is found all the time around here that never makes the news.
        Joe Smotherman

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        • #5
          Re: Franklin Relics Found at Golf Course

          Typically, there are only four or five inches of sand. You are correct ,Joe , it usually is shipped in from somewhere else, Monterey, TN for example. However, there are sock drains and the like that are installed to drain the sand traps more readily. Sometimes gravel catch basins two to three feet deep can also be present. Reworking of the edges or sod replacement around the perimeter may also bring about excavating. . In short, there are lots of reasons for digging to occur deeper than the standard depth of the sand. Whether or not something is amiss in this case is yet to be determined
          Cameron Stinnett

          A E K D B

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          • #6
            Re: Franklin Relics Found at Golf Course

            I'm finishing up my first year attempting to golf. I was able to get out maybe 20 or so times at both 9 and 18 hole courses, and did some driving range stuff too. But I have to gloat, I never hit the beach once! Maybe now Ill have to try a little harder :wink_smil
            Mike Dudkowski

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            • #7
              Re: Franklin Relics Found at Golf Course

              Is that the old course at Carnton Plantation?
              Do you suppose the artillarists said, "damnit, I'm in the sand" when the rounds landed?? :p
              Just a private soldier trying to make a difference

              Patrick Peterson
              Old wore out Bugler

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              • #8
                Re: Franklin Relics Found at Golf Course

                Yup, that is adjacent to the Carnton property. And rather odd I thought when I found out some people had opposed the sale of the golf course; their argument being that the site had nothing historically significant to offer. Mmmmm...
                John Marler
                Franklin, TN

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                • #9
                  Re: Franklin Relics Found at Golf Course

                  John,

                  I opposed the purchase of the golf course when there was a significant amount of land for sale on Columbia Pike that was much more pertinent to the fighting in that area in 1862 and 1864. I felt like the golf course was chosen because it was "easy". Now that last patch of green space between Winstead Hills and the Carter House is being developed. The Columbia Pike corridor is going to be the next big redevelopment in Franklin and more will be lost. Just wait, they'll build something on the lot next to the Carter in the next 7 years.
                  Joe Smotherman

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                  • #10
                    Re: Franklin Relics Found at Golf Course

                    One of the few upsides to the economic crash, developement slowed. :confused_
                    Just a private soldier trying to make a difference

                    Patrick Peterson
                    Old wore out Bugler

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                    • #11
                      Re: Franklin Relics Found at Golf Course

                      Ah, Pat, not so much around here ... especially commercial development. The Middle Tennessee area has not suffered the same banking problems Georgia has. Condos are dead, residential construction is extremely limited (almost no spec financing available), but commercial deals are still chugging along strong.
                      Joe Smotherman

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                      • #12
                        Re: Franklin Relics Found at Golf Course

                        Joe...sometimes "easy" is good. :)
                        John Marler
                        Franklin, TN

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                        • #13
                          Re: Franklin Relics Found at Golf Course

                          John,

                          If that were true, we'd never progress.
                          Joe Smotherman

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                          • #14
                            Re: Franklin Relics Found at Golf Course

                            Yawn.............
                            John Marler
                            Franklin, TN

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