November 2025 : 300+ More Acres of the Battlefield Has Been Preserved!

Click the map for a larger image.
The Yellow and Orange plots reflect the newest acquisitions. The Blue reflects the current battlefield park (left) and additionally preserved properties (right). See the story below.This map indicates the fighting on May 15, 1864.It is modified to reflect the most recent acquisitions. Additional maps and information can be found at the excellent American Battlefield Trust website here.

Working closely with our friends at the American Battlefield Trust, the Friends of Resaca Battlefield, Inc. is pleased to announce the preservation of an additional 300+ acres of the endangered Resaca Battlefield at Resaca, Georgia.

The new acquisitions contain important points of the battle for both the Union and Confederate sides, representing one of the most significant expansions of protected Civil War land in recent years. The newly preserved areas are divided between two key regions of the battlefield. To the south, 89 acres include several tracts along U.S. Highway 41, featuring wooded, rolling terrain and remnants of 19th-century structures.

The largest of these is the 59-acre Springbank tract, which borders I-75 and shows faint traces of Civil War earthworks despite recent logging activity. Two adjoining parcels, known locally as the Southpaw (Fain) properties, add another 30 acres, providing critical continuity to the southern landscape of the battlefield. To the north, the preservation effort encompasses 273 acres of rugged, historically rich terrain stretching into southern Whitfield County. The 127-acre Springbank tract near Flowers Road includes high ridges and deep ravines with visible earthen fortifications still marking the land.

Adjacent properties, including an 8-acre section at the base of the ridge and a 79-acre tract extending into Whitfield County, complete the northern acquisition. Together, these lands preserve a vital section of the Resaca Battlefield where Union and Confederate forces clashed in May 1864 during the Atlanta Campaign.

On Thursday, October 30, 2025, the Friends of Resaca Battlefield met to discuss the next phase of the project in partnership with the American Battlefield Trust. The organization is working to raise the $1.8 million needed to secure and maintain the newly protected properties through a combination of grants, support from state and national preservation organizations, and public donations.

Ken Padgett, president of Friends of Resaca Battlefield, expressed optimism about the effort, saying, “This is not our first rodeo on large preservation efforts. We have now protected 1,500 acres of battlefield, assisted in establishing two major parks, and created beautiful green space for future generations to enjoy.”

With this acquisition, the Friends of Resaca Battlefield continues its long-standing mission to safeguard one of Georgia’s most historically important Civil War sites—ensuring that the stories and landscapes of Resaca remain part of the living memory of our nation.