Chattanooga, who knew?

CHATTANOOGA, TENNESSEE. Rumor has it this mid-sized town is ‘being discovered’ and quickly growing. What we’ve heard along the way is, “Chattanooga is what Austin used to be”, prior to the influx of people to the popular Texas destination. After our visit, I tend to agree. During our stay, a film crew descended on the Chattanooga Choo Choo train station working on an upcoming Tyler Perry Netflix film; and the neighboring coffeehouse, the Frothy Monkey, was filled to the brim, pun intended.

For Civil War buffs, however, in late 1863 with a population of 2,500, Chattanooga was in the sights of Generals Grant and Sherman who knew taking the town would open the deep south, and bring the eventual end to the Civil War. Prized for its location with both rail and water access, Chattanooga played a pivotal role in the Civil War with two major battles. The Union’s loss in September at the nearby Battle of Chickamauga resulted in the second deadliest battle of the Civil War following Gettysburg. November’s Battle of Chattanooga, however, pushed the Confederate Army into Georgia and paved the way for Sherman’s March to the Sea.

To walk the battlefield of Chickamauga and take in a portion of the 600 stone and bronze monuments, was a humbling experience; then a drive up 2,400 feet to the top of Lookout Mountain where the ‘Battle Above the Clouds’ took place revealed a jaw-dropping commanding view of the Tennessee River, Missionary Ridge and Medicine Bow where most of the fighting took place. The mountaintop, originally held by the South, was enveloped in a thick fog allowing the North to make their way up the steep slope and lay claim to Lookout Mountain.

The Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park established in 1890 precedes Gettysburg’s dedication in 1895. At the center is the New York Peace Monument, a 95’ high monument completed in 1907. This centerpiece on Lookout Mountain depicts a Northern and Southern soldier standing together with a poignant inscription which reads, “Reunited. One country again and forever”.

Adding a pic of me and my girl, Piper, high atop Point Park….just because. We’re all getting older 🙂