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Controversy over Wal-mart on Civil War battlefield
A proposed Wal-Mart Supercenter on the site of one of the Civil War's bloodiest battles is being challenged by local preservationists.The case has gone into a new phase as a local court ruled that opponents to the Wal-Mart have the right to bring the company to trial, reports Civil War News.
When the Orange County, Virginia, Board of Supervisors approved the construction of a 138,000 square-foot Wal-mart Supercenter at the edge of the Wilderness Battlefield, part of a National Battlefield Park, two preservation groups and six local residents sued. They say that the location is too close to the battlefield and will ruin its atmosphere.
The Battle of the Wilderness on May 5-7, 1864 was a brutal slugfest between the armies of Grant and Lee that left tens of thousands of Americans dead or wounded. Many historians see the battle as the start of a long war of attrition that bled the Confederacy to death.
The Board of Supervisors challenged the opponents' right to sue, but a court said that they do, indeed, have a vested interest in the area and may bring Wal-Mart to court. This will delay Wal-Mart's final purchase of the land and application for building permits.
This case is similar to one concerning the Gettysburg casino, pitting historians and preservation groups against the interests of big business.
Wilderness battlefield photo courtesy Wikimedia Commons.
Filed under: Activism, History, North America, United States
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 5)
Crissy May 31st 2010 11:59AM
We don't have that many war torn locations in the country, why can't we leave those who died for this country alone in their battlefields.
What's better for our countries soul, Walmart or a Civil War Battlefield????
Mat Jun 1st 2010 3:00PM
I agree,Wal-Mart has plenty of outlets,why do they need to build on historic sites or in National Parks? There is plenty of public land they can gobble up!
jessewooding Jun 1st 2010 4:39PM
People always freak out about Walmart expanding, and people try to fight Walmart building new stores anywhere. It's ridiculous. If you hate Walmart so much, then quit buying stuff from them. I plan to continue getting a discout there until some other store can outcompete Walmart. People complain about Walmart building in obscure locations, but Walmart still makes money there, even in a recession. This article even says that Walmart is trying to build on the land next to the historic site, not on the site. If you care so much about that land, then how bout you buy it up to protect it instead of trying to fight a company through law and politics that just wants to make more money with another good location to sell stuff from?
Kristi Jun 1st 2010 4:51PM
Walmart should find another site to build on, but remember, it was the board of Supervisors that authorized. They are the ones guilty, they should have said No to begin with but they just wantd to get rid of the land and make some money too.
john Jun 29th 2010 8:16PM
I LIVE LESS THAN A MILE FROM THE SITE WHAT THIS ARTICAL DOESNT SAY IS THERE IS ALLREADY A STRIP MALL THERE A 711 A SHEETZ A MCDONALDS AND HALF A DOZEN STORES ALLREADY THERE THIS IS SIMPLE ANTI WALMART B.S.
Pam Jun 2nd 2010 9:34AM
I live in Orange Va --- they are not trying to build on the battlefield and it is not like there are not stores in the area already .Lets see you have a Sheetz, a 7-11 , a Wachovia bank, and a Subway - just to name a few. The people here in Orange need a place to shop and we need jobs for people in our area. If the people of the county want Walmart here then it should be our decision not people who live in Northern Va or elsewhere
Garry May 31st 2010 3:29PM
You would think that Wal-Mart could find a slightly more appropriate and respectful location in the area.
http://www.civilwar.org/battlefields/wilderness/maps/wilderness-battlefield-appeal.html
rick Jun 2nd 2010 6:02PM
let them build it BUT make them also build a memorial park/historical monument park adjacent so that those in the area have place to teach their kids about local history......
could be a win/win
John Jun 1st 2010 2:29PM
If you haven't noticed yet, Wal-mart only gives a shit about money. They have no respect for those of us that are still living so why in the hell would they have any respect for history or the dead. They were protested in my home town for years, no one wanted them here. Guess what happened, yup they built anyway. They did the same in Mexico too, built at the base of Aztec, (I think, maybe Incan), ruins. My family and friends know that I refer to wally world as 'Satans wearhouse' - cuz that's what it is. Wake up folks they are not saving you money. It may be too complicated for some of their customers to understand, but you buying cheap socks ultimately costs all of us. F#*K 'EM!
mark Jun 1st 2010 9:52PM
you are absolutely right. people dont understand that all those rolled back prices you keep seeing come out of the suppliers pockets. walmart keeps demanding they lower prices or get dropped. they even go to such lengths as to look at their books. its usually labor that gets hit. walmart shows the companies how to move their production to china so it can lower prices. this costs the U.S. not only jobs, but makes our trade imbalance worse and makes china stonger.
Jim Jun 1st 2010 2:31PM
The only thing sacred to Walmart is the almighty dollar. They don't give a rats-ass about history, their employees, their customers, or the quality of the products they sell. As long as the money keeps rolling on in, and people keep buying their crap, they're going to continue to do things like this.
Ninja Delusion Jun 1st 2010 2:34PM
I hate walmart ultra-capitolist swine. I hope walmart goes bankrupt. Pieces of shit are largely responcible for China's boom and America's decline.
warriorjoe78 Jun 2nd 2010 6:03PM
I'm sorry to tell you this, but if Wal-Mart goes bankrupt we are all in for a long and severe downturn that really will rival the Great Depression.
Britney Jun 1st 2010 2:42PM
The South tried to destroy our country? that's bullshit!
Us Southernerns didn't do anything to be labeled terroists.
floid Jun 1st 2010 11:41PM
Learn some History
james russell Jun 1st 2010 2:51PM
TO WAL MART AND THE COMMISSIONERS WHO APPROVED THE SITE:
when you have an historic site next to the area you want to build on, make sure that it is not a commerical venture. a museum and residential addition in accordance with the nature of the area but not a super store, any office complex that paves over the surrounding area and causes conflict with the peace and quiet of the battle field where there is always the possibility there are undiscovered battle field deaths. has someone called for a forensic antropologic study to determine if there are un-marked graves or historical pieces in the ground? the challenge is not only correct but should be upheld by going to the U>S> congress and requesting the area be designated as a federal historical park.
Dandy Jun 1st 2010 2:52PM
Hopefully the dictators in Virginia are elected, if not, SOMEONE appointed them. You all have the right to VOTE. It may not help this situation, but a massive campaign to impeach or replace every one of them, would send the right message, REPRESENT THE WISHES OF THE PEOPLE, not your own pockets. As far as Walmart and supporting China, REAL SIMPLE, DO NOT SHOP AT WALMART, DO NOT WORK FOR WALMART. An empty store cannot stay open. Also, BUY AMERICAN - BUY AMERICAN - BUY AMERICAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!! VOTE!!! - VOTE! - VOTE! - VOTE! - VOTE! - VOTE! - VOTE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
And remember! The next time you buy foriegn! It could be YOUR JOB!
David S. Jun 1st 2010 2:52PM
The article is confusing -- at first it says the Wal-mart will be located on the site of the battlefield, then later it says near it. There is a difference. The picture shows an overgrown field. I have no particular love for Wal-mart, but I am going to assume the land is available to be bought. They would not be allowed to build on land maintained by the state or federal government. Unfortunately, there were smaller battles fought on land that is not maintained -- these are all over the country.
chip Jun 1st 2010 6:57PM
Amen. If those who oppose the purchase of this property by wal mart Object so strongly, why didn't they or the local county government purchase the property when it was for sale ? You can't blame wal-mart for wanting to purchase this building site, This article is quite deceptive,
mogarlic Jun 1st 2010 3:08PM
Have family there. They would really like the sore close to them. However all agree,NOT on our sacred ground. The building would not actually be in the park area proper,but on the edge on adjoining property. Will increase the traffic too.