In Nathan Bedford Forrest Statue, how is the Location and dedication discussed?
The statue was installed in 1998, surrounded by two cellphone transmission towers and thirteen flag poles (flying the Confederate battle flag and various other Confederate and state flags) on 3.5 acres (1.4 ha) of land then privately owned by Nashville businessman Bill Dorris. The property at 701D Hogan Rd is long and narrow, with Interstate 65 on one side and railway tracks on the other.The monument was visible from the interstate by the northbound shoulder near mile marker 77 south of downtown Nashville. Around the time the statue was installed, the state cleared vegetation to make it more visible from the Interstate, primarily due to the efforts of then-Tennessee State Senator Douglas Henry (D-Nashville). The statue was controversial since before it was installed.The statue was dedicated on July 11, 1998 by the Joseph E. Johnston Camp of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, who invited "40 other SCV camps, the United Daughters of the Confederacy and 10 re-enactment groups in period dress." The SCV camp called it one of its most ambitious projects and noted the additional sponsorship of The Southern League and the Mary Noel Kershaw Foundation. In total, the dedication ceremony was attended by approximately 400 people, including Alberta Martin, who was once believed to be the last surviving widow of a Confederate soldier, and Tennessee State Senator Douglas Henry.
Alberta Martin United Daughters of the Confederacy Sons of Confederate Veterans Tennessee State Senator Joseph E. Johnston Confederate battle flag The Southern League Confederate Interstate 65 Douglas Henry