At the county commission meeting Tuesday, the commission authorized the acquisition of property at Fort Strother.

“This is something the county has been working on for 30 years or more,” Commission Chairman Stan Batemon said.

Fort Strother, located on property in Ragland, once served as a military base for General Andrew Jackson and his men in the early 1800s.  Other legendary military men like Davy Crockett and John Coffee fought in battle at Fort Strother.  

Although the physical structure of the base is gone, remains of Fort Strother are located on private property the county will acquire for historical preservation.

Individuals represented by three different families own portions of the property.  The county will acquire 80 percent of the property interest, leaving 20 percent divided among various people.

“The price for the land is broken down according to ownership,” county attorney Bill Weathington said at the county commission work session last Thursday.

The appraised value for the land is $74,100.  Through this acquisition the county will pay $59,282 for 80 percent of the property.

The county is still working on determining who holds property deeds to the remaining 20 percent.

“It’s easier to deal with the 20 percent once you have the 80 percent in hand,” Weathington said.

When asked if the county had plans for the land, Batemom said, “We have no plans yet except to get in place as a historical site.”