Today in History:

Chattanooga Features 13 Civil War Trails Interpretive Signs

                                   

CHATTANOOGA
FEATURES 13 CIVIL WAR TRAILS INTERPRETIVE SIGNS

 

Located just north of the Georgia border on the banks of the Tennessee River, Chattanooga was a major prize for both sides almost from the beginning of the war in Tennessee. Its railroads provided links to all points in the Confederacy and were the key to any Union invasion of Georgia. After many false starts, Union forces drew close to Chattanooga in the fall of 1863 after maneuvering the Confederate army into north Georgia. Following the battle of Chickamauga, fought only a few miles south of the city, the defeated Union army retreated in disarray into Chattanooga. Confederates quickly occupied the heights above the city and cut Union supply lines. The Confederate stranglehold on the city finally was broken during a series of dramatic Union victories in late November 1864. The city then became a key supply base for Union operations in Georgia.

 

The Chattanooga area, as part of the Tennessee Civil War Trails program, features 13 interpretive signs. Eight of these are located within walking distance of each other, and the farthest one is 15 minutes from downtown in outlying areas.

 


SIGN NAME                                                        LOCATION

1. Occupied Chattanooga                Coolidge Park, to the right of the Delta Queen

2. Ross’s Landing                           Plaza between the TN Aquarium buildings

3. Hazen’s Raid at Brown’s Ferry     Riverfront Parkway to the left of the City Pier

4. Cameron Hill                              AT&T Field, off the circle drive on left

5. Headquarters Row                     Corner of 1st & Walnut Street near the bridge

6. Swaim’s Jail                               Corner of 5th and Lookout Streets near garage

7. Crutchfield House                       Corner of MLK Blvd. & Broad Street across from the Sheraton
                                                     Read House

8. Chattanooga’s Railroads             In gardens of Chattanooga Choo Choo- 1400 Market St.

9. Chattanooga Creek Picket Lines   Broad Street; turn right on 31st Street, turn right on                                                      St. Elmo St. & follow to end of road

10.Soldier Tourists                         1110 East Brow Rd. on Lookout Mtn. near Point Park

11.Attack at Suck Creek                 US Hwy 27 to Signal Mtn. Road, take left to 1831 Suck           
                                                    Creek Road
,  on right at TWRA Boat Ramp

12.Sherman Crosses The River       Greenway Farms off Hamill Road in Hixson

13. Raccoon Mountain                   At West Hills Road entrance at Raccoon Mountain Caverns

 Additional Federal Civil War sites in Chattanooga include: Chickamauga-Chattanooga National Military Park; Orchard Knob; Missionary Ridge; Cravens House; Point Park; Lookout Mountain; Signal Point &Chattanooga National Cemetery. For more information, visit www.chattanoogafun.com/civilwar