ECW NEWS: Shy’s Hill Preservation at Nashville
The Battle of Nashville Trust (BONT) has scored an important preservation victory at a key location on the Nashville battlefield. Shy’s Hill, scene of the climactic fighting on December 16, 1864, has now been fully preserved.
Preservationist Jim Kay of the Battle of Nashville Trust explains the significance of the preservation project.
Read BONT’s full press release here:
The Battle of Nashville Trust has made “new history” of its own at Shy’s Hill – – by acquiring full and complete ownership of the summit. Adjacent to BONT’s 1.35 acre access property on Benton Smith Road, the 2.23 acre summit property was donated by a developer to our friends at the Tennessee Historical Society in 1954. In addition to improving the properties with the interpretive kiosk, field artillery, monuments, and memorial flag display, BONT has maintained the trails on both properties for years.
On Monday, Nov. 25, 2025, the Trust finalized purchase of the THS tract and added it to surrounding properties which it has acquired in an effort to preserve this important ground which is soaked in both blood and history. The BONT now owns a total of 4.65 acres of the remaining 17.69 acres encircled by Benton Smith and Shy’s Hill roads. All battlefield land owned and maintained by BONT will continue to be protected from development by a conservation easement through the Land Trust for Tennessee and Tennessee Wars Commission. BONT is thankful for the support of the Tennessee Wars Commission and Tennessee Historical Commission.
Bobby Whitson, president of the Trust, noted, “The spirits of those in blue and gray that represented the best that this country had to offer can rest easily knowing that their actions, their names, their regiments, and their brigades will never be forgotten. The Battle of Nashville Trust will ensure that they will be honored appropriately for the rest of time.” More details will be added soon to the BONT website.
