Computer Repair in War Trace

The name Wartrace has its origins in the trails that were used by Native Americans for warfare purposes. In the early 1800’s, Andrew Jackson acquired a significant piece of land from James Robertson, which encompassed the area where Wartrace stands today. In 1813, it is believed that Old Hickory marked a beech tree near the stream now known as Wartrace Creek with the inscription “this is War Trail Creek.”

In 1851, Rice Coffee generously donated eight acres of land to the newly chartered Nashville and Chattanooga Rail Road, with the aim of attracting the proposed line to eastern Bedford County. Wartrace Depot was established in 1852 upon the completion of the N&C. Wartrace Depot was granted a formal charter on October 3rd, 1853, which was later shortened to Wartrace.

The Era of the Civil War

After the Confederate troops retreated from the battle of Murfreesboro at Stones River in 1862, Wartrace served as a winter encampment site during the Tullahoma Campaign. General William J. Hardee chose to set up his headquarters and camps at Beech Wood Plantation, which was located one mile east of the present town limits. There is still an earthen fort, or redoubt, that can be found on private property situated on the highest hill on the east side of Wartrace. On April 11, 1862, there was a skirmish between Union and Confederate troops in Wartrace. Lt. Col. James M. Shanklin, the commander of a Federal 42nd Indiana detachment stationed in Wartrace, documented this event in his journal. Shanklin’s journal found its way into the pages of Vol. 1 of The Soldier of Indiana in the War for the Union in 1866.

Old Chockley Tavern, a historic stagecoach stop located near downtown Wartrace, holds the distinction of being the oldest standing building in the area. Over the years, it has served as a gathering spot for notable figures, including Major General Patrick R. Cleburne of the Confederate army. In “Dairy of A Confederate Soldier” by John Jackman, he discusses the various locations he visited during the Tullahoma Campaign.