Historic Fort Pillow State Park In Tennessee Is The Perfect Day Trip For Nature Lovers And History Buffs

Tennessee is rife with history, from its involvement in the dark Civil War to its hand in both contemporary and traditional music. From Nashville to Memphis, from Knoxville to Chattanooga, the Volunteer State has managed to stay relevant for a whole series of historic involvement. If you find yourself on the western side of the state, however, a visit to Fort Pillow State Historic Park is a must. Learn all about the location’s dark history and its relevance during the Civil War, or maybe go backcountry camping along the Chickasaw Bluffs. It’s an incredible park, one that shouldn’t be taken for granted.

Helen Lynn Pratt - GoogleMaps

Fort Pillow State Historic Park is located on the western side of Tennessee, and both honors and preserves the site of the Battle of Fort Pillow. At 1,642 acres, it overlooks the famed Mississippi River.

Adam Allen - GoogleMaps

The Battle of Fort Pillow was fought during the American Civil War in what is now Henning, Tennessee, on April 12th, 1864. Fort Pillow was a strategic location that enabled the army in power to control traffic along the Mississippi River.

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Thomas Foldes - GoogleMaps

Known also as the Fort Pillow massacre, the battle itself ended with the sweeping death of African-American Union troops under the order of Confederate general, Nathan Bedford Forrest. It's been quoted by famed historian David J. Eicher as, "one of the bleakest, saddest events of American military history."

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Guillaume Capron - Flickr

The massacre was ordered by Forrest despite the Union's attempts to surrender. The horrific loss of life is honored at Fort Pillow State Historic Park, located roughly 40 miles north of Memphis.

Guillaume Capron - Flickr

The topography of the park is stunning, especially with the Chickasaw Bluffs overlooking the river. Visitors will have the chance to visit the park's museum that has a series of artifacts that date back to the Civil War, including a now-defunct cannon. The museum itself can be accessed from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Guillaume Capron - Flickr

Fort Pillow State Historic Park is famed for its historic relevance, but folks also visit to go hiking, camping, and picnicking. Bird watchers also frequent the area for its lush forests and accessible wildlife.

Hugo Hackenbush - GoogleMaps

Fort Pillow State Historic Park is a must-visit if you're a history buff, and it honors the dark history of Tennessee with a respectable level of honor and distance. Visit for yourself from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. every day of the week.

You can learn more about the historic Fort Pillow State Park with a visit to this website, right here.