By MARVIN HAMLETT
Editor
In three more years, America will be celebrating the 150th Anniversary of the end of the Civil War.
And Appomattox County officials are already preparing for it.
For starters, motorists can view the new and improved “Tourism Gateway Signs” that have replaced older ones on the four major highways entering Appomattox County.
The erected 8-by-12-foot signs have been placed on U.S. 460 East (near Spout Spring), U.S. 460 West (near Evergreen), State Route 24 (near the Surrender Grounds) and State Route 26 (near the Industrial Park).
McBride Sign Company in Lynchburg won the bid for producing the cost-effective vinyl wrap signs.
“The old signs were beginning to deteriorate and chip,” said Anne Dixon, Director of Parks, Recreation and Tourism for Appomattox County.
Dixon, along with Economic Development Director Jeff Taylor, played key roles in upgrading the signs, all with an eye on 2015, when Appomattox will host the grand finale of the Sesquicentennial of the Civil War surrender.
Gen. Robert E. Lee signed the surrender papers to Gen. Ulysses S. Grant on April 15, 1865, in Appomattox Courthouse, effectively ending the war and allowing the nation to be reunited.
The new Tourism Gateway Signs provide a more-historical portrait of Lee and Grant, as well as the word “Sesquicentennial.”
In addition, the signs tout “Historic Appomattox” for its “history, antiques, dining and shopping.”
At the bottom of the sign are the dates April 15, 1865 – April 15, 2015 and the words “Where Our Nation Reunited.”
“We just wanted to add some advertising for the Sesquicentennial,” Dixon said. “This should last better. The other signs were getting in bad shape and had been there for over 10 years. So Jeff and I talked about it and decided to change it.”
The new signs were turn-key at $1,000 apiece and have prompted a lot of positive feedback so far.
“We’ve gotten a lot of compliments on them,” Dixon said. “They stand out, and people really like the colors, the antique background and the very period look. I think (McBride) did a great job on them.”
In addition to the Tourism Gate Signs, Appomattox also boasts county-owned wooden signs near the main entrance arteries.
Also, the Town of Appomattox has rock-foundation signs leading into the Town limits.
Of course, new signs are only a small part of the planning that will go into the Sesquicentennial in three more years.
Dixon is spearheading a Sesquicentennial Committee, which has been meeting quarterly. The 22-member committee consists of Dixon, Taylor, county employees, town employees, school personnel, museum officials, park officials, historical society members and private citizens.
“Richmond has a state commission and is going to be holding an event at the national park with a stage area and dignitaries coming in,” Dixon said. “Plus, the park will have a program, and the Museum of the Confederacy will be having an event.”
Appomattox will also boast a history mobile, which is a traveling museum bus. It will also be on display this October for the Historic Appomattox Railroad Festival.
Clover Hill Village will also host special activities during the Sesquicentennial in 2015.
“Our year to shine is 2015,” Dixon said.