Raid at Martin's Station - April 19, 20, & 21, 2002.  Photographs taken by Joe and Linda Martin, Gilbert, AZ. The "Raid" is sponsored by the Virginia Wilderness Road State Park and the Friends of the Wilderness Road State Park.  The park is located near General Joseph Martin's 1760's fort known also as Martin's Station.  The fort is being reconstructed under the direction of Park Manager, Mr. Donnie Harris and the buildings are being built by Mr. Billy Heck, who uses no modern equipment or tools.  Mr. Heck uses only tools ofrom the 1700's.  Mr. Heck is a revolutionary war re-enactor, and also builds cutom flintlock rifles.  The The park now has General Martin's cabin and three other buildings completed, plus a very interesting "bear proof" hog pen.  For last year's re-enactment the park personnel built an additonal building that us used for the "Indian Raid" and was burned during the event. The park is located twelve miles east of Cumberland Gap, home of Cumberland Gap National Historical Park.  Nearby is Middlesboro, KY, which was envisioned during the Civil War to become the"Industrial Pittsburgh of the South."  It's also the only city in the United States known to be built within a meteor crater.

Cumberland Gap, TN The roads come together here  and join the towns of Middlesboro,KY, Cumberland Gap, TN, and Harograte, TN. The old Wilderness Road (now Hwy 58) came through here into Kentucky.

Replica of Martin's Station.

This is the famous "Cumberland Gap"

Looking down off Cumberland Gap.  Also a very strategic point during the Civil War.

Entrance to Wilderness Road State Park

Wilderness Road State Park and Plantation Home

Sign advertising  "Raid at Martin Station"

The Cumberland Gap is distinguished by the different color of the trees.  The old road ran between the tree lines.  It is now being made into a walking trail.

(left to right) Sally Martin, Kingsport, TN James Reggie Martin, Bloomburg, TX Joe and Linda Martin, Gilbert, AZ One of the Re-enactors

Linda Martin, Gilbert, AZ talks to Park Director, Donnie Harris

Park Director, Donnie Harris chats with Chuck  of the State Parks Home Office. Note the two Indian Re-enactors

Tony Brown, a General Joseph descendant from Pearland, TX, visits with Michelle McKaye, one of the Re-enactors. Michelle got married at the event this year.  More pictures of the mariage ceremony later.

It is hard to read, but the bottom left reads, "First step, In 1761 (General) Joseph Maretin led a party to Powell's Valley in Virginia and established a small settlement near the Gap.  After a few months, the Indians drove them away."  This display is in Cumberland Gap National Historic Park Visitor's Center Museum in Middlesboro, KY

This display shows the "Old Wilderness Road" to Kentucky.  It ran through Cumberland Gap, TN, and into what is now Middlesboro, KY.

Back - Ralph and Rebecca Martin of Andersonville, TN Front - "Bob" Hughes, a descendant of General Joseph's brother William.  Bob is President of the Tennessee SAR and lives in Jackson, TN.  He is talking to Park Manager, Donnie Harris about next year's events.  Linda Martin of Gilbert, AZ looks on.

Left to Right Jewell Martin, Mansfield, AR Tony Brown and Susan Brown (brother and sister) from Pearland, TX Treva Martin Mathis of Mansfield, AR James Regie Martin of Bloomburg, TX Joe Martin, Gilbert, AZ Ann Brown, Pearland, TX

Left to Right David Martin from Raleigh, NC (Descendant of General Joseph by Jesse Martin) Tony and Ann Brown from Pearland, TX Jewell Martin from Mansfield, AR Picture taken at the "Martin Family Welcome Station"

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