Although Jack Crabtree never lived in the Tennessee Valley, his ties to the region ran deep.
A resident of Prescott, Arizona, Crabtree worked as an Aeronautical Engineer for Lockheed before retiring and serving as an adjunct professor at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. There, he guided students in launching high-altitude balloons into the stratosphere for experimental research.
Crabtree’s connection to the Tennessee Valley was threefold: family living in East Tennessee and on Sand Mountain in Alabama, a lifelong fascination with the mountains and caves of the Southeast as an avid spelunker, and a passionate interest in Civil War history. His extensive Civil War collection included rare books, documents, and memorabilia, and he personally visited nearly every battlefield in the country—including those in Chattanooga and Chickamauga.
He once described Bridgeport as “the funnel that poured the fuel that ended the Civil War and saved countless lives on both sides.”
Following his death in July 2025, Crabtree’s widow and six siblings sought to fulfill his wishes by donating his Civil War books and research materials to a suitable public institution. Bridgeport was chosen as the home for the new “Jack Crabtree Civil War Research Library”, where his work and passion for history will continue to educate and inspire future generations.
A dedication ceremony will be held Friday, November 8, 2025 beginning at 1 p.m. at the Bridgeport Depot Library. The public is invited to attend, particularly those with an interest in Bridgeport history and the Civil War.
