Columbus-Belmont State Park

Columbus-Belmont State Park, situated on the banks of the Mississippi River in Hickman County, near Columbus, Kentucky, holds historical significance as it was the site of a Confederate fortification during the American Civil War. This location was considered strategically important by both the North and South for gaining and maintaining control over the Mississippi River.

Polk's Giant Chain: The Main Attraction

The main attraction of the park is Polk's giant chain, which is believed to have been over a mile long before part of it was destroyed by flooding and erosion. The anchor of this chain weighed between four and six tons, and each link in the chain was eleven inches long. This chain is a significant artifact from the Civil War era.

Antebellum Building: A Confederate Hospital Turned Museum

One of the surviving antebellum buildings in the park, which was once a farmhouse, served as a Confederate hospital during the early stages of the war. This restored building now functions as a museum and interpretive center for the Kentucky state park system, providing visitors with insights into the Civil War history of the area and local natural and cultural history.