Gordon County has a rich history, steeped in tradition. In order to preserve that history, Friends of the Resaca Battlefield have urged community leaders to set about creating an atmosphere where people can better appreciate the history of the county. Part of that was the Fort Wayne Preserve, a project that has now reached a roadblock.

The county received a grant from the Department of Transportation: Transportation Enhancement Grant in the amount of $200,000, the funds were to be used to place a parking lot, walking trails and a plaque in front of the site. According to County Administrator, Randy Dowling, the county has not seen a dime of that money.

“We have been waiting on them to begin the project,” Dowling said.

The site is currently a raw piece of land with earth works, and a redoubt, or fort-like gutter etched into the earth. The 65-acre tract of land in Resaca was used by both Confederate and Union soldiers during the Civil War.

The land was purchased by Gordon County from a private citizen in 2004, using funds from the now defunct Georgia Green Space Fund. The site was intended to be apart of the county’s 2027 Comprehensive Plan.

“In order for the DOT to release the funds they require a lot of information, which we gave them,” said Dowling.

That information included surveys and environmental and archaeological studies.

“The DOT came out and presented the county with a check, and then nothing else has happened,” said Gordon County Historic Commission Chair, Ken Padgett. “It is frustrating, because we are ready and willing to work on this project.”

In 2007 the county contracted with a firm called MACTEC to put together a plan for the battlefield. Dowling said that since 2007, MACTEC has continued to assist the county in obtaining funds.

“I call the DOT every week,” Dowling said.

And MACTEC has done the same. Dowling said that about $30,000 in planning and man hours has gone into just trying to get the money.

“We want to open it up to show people what happened here. It is a part of the county’s history, but it has gotten bottle necked at the state,” Dowling said. “So we wait.”