Civil War and Chattanooga History

Chattanooga is rich in history, from the nation’s first and largest military park, the Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park, to Ross’s Landing on the riverfront, a Cherokee removal site now memorialized by The Passage, an interactive water feature, to the Chattanooga Choo Choo Terminal Train Station Complex built in 1909 to museums like the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum, Bessie Smith Cultural Center and the International Towing & Recovery Museum and Hall of Fame.

Read about Chattanooga's Train History.

In 2013, Chattanooga will observe two significant anniversaries – the 150th Anniversary of the Civil War battles that were fought in 1863 in the Chattanooga and Lookout Mountain area – the Battle Above the Clouds, Battles for Chattanooga, Orchard Knob, & Missionary Ridge and the September Battle at Chickamauga Georgia. You can learn all about our Civil War history over a southern cooked meal at Buttonwillow Civil War Dinner Theater.  Because of Chattanooga’s strategic location, river and rail systems, Chattanooga was considered the gateway to the Deep South and an important location for both the Union and the Confederacy. Throughout 2013, Chattanooga will host a variety of events from a reenactment, to the state’s October 150th TN Signature Event, to history walks, special exhibits and talks.

We will also be commemorating the 175th Anniversary of the Cherokee Removal known as the “Trail of Tears.”  Special programs will be presented by the National Park Service along with a lecture by the Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation (OK) and the dedication of the Federal Road at Moccasin Bend National Park.

Be sure to check our events calendar by type for all history related events.

• 

  Civil War Living History at Chickamauga National Military Park

• 

  Bessie Smith Hall in Downtown Chattanooga celebrates Black History

• 

  Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum offers daily train rides on the rails of yesterday