'Confusing' outdated Civil War tourism signs get yanked

The city of Corinth will replace dozens of 15-year-old signs that tell the local story of the Civil War,

The Daily Corinthian reports that the 44 signs were installed in 1997 as part of the original Siege & Battle of Corinth Commission's driving tour of local Civil War sites.

Officials say the Corinth Tourism Office recently completed a new driving tour and the old signs were causing confusion.

The city began taking down the signs this past week.

"Over the years, the Tourism Office changed the driving tour, but the signs were never changed," said Park Ranger Tom Parson. "It's very confusing for people coming from Shiloh who are on the new driving tour and they see the small driving tour signs."

Parson said the driving tour will go without signs for the time being.

Much of the land containing historical sites currently owned by the Siege & Battle of Corinth Commission will soon be transferred to the National Park Service. Once the transition is complete, the National Park Service will create and install new signs representing the current driving tour and the new sites added to NPS property.

Before that happens, there is still much work ahead, Parson said. For example, roadside pullover sites must be established so motorists on the driving tour will not have to stop in the middle of the roads.

Property that has been — or will soon be — acquired by the National Park Service from the Siege & Battle of Corinth Commission includes Battery F, the property at the intersection of Mississippi Highway 2 and Polk Street and the old Confederate earthworks.