Chattanooga

[davepi2]

Well I have decided to make Chattanooga my next stop. Last year I didn't do my research before passing through town, Point Park was closed and I got lost so I didn't get to catch anything. I had visited Chickamauga earlier but didn't plan on enough time to really spend in Chattanooga anyway. I had spent the weekend in Atlanta for a race so Kennesaw Mountain, Resaca, and Chickamauga wound up being my stops. This year I am doing my research before I go but I do have questions. It seems Orchard Knob and the reservations on Missionary Ridge should be able to find without much trouble. Is the Craven's House difficult to find and do you have any recommendations for visiting sites in the Chattanooga area? I am probably going to spend a half a day at Chickamauga again also as that is my favorite battlefield I have visited. I have been watching the videos the park put out for the anniversary last November and they have been very helpful.

 

[bdtex]

Is the Craven's House difficult to find and do you have any recommendations for visiting sites in the Chattanooga area?

Craven House is not difficult to find when you get up on the mountain. In addition to the sites you have already mentioned, I would recommend Chattanooga National Cemetery, specifically the Andrews' Raiders monument, and Signal Point Park. The views at Signal Point are spectacular.

 

[redbob]

Also, take a drive down Crest Drive (which is the road that runs down the spine of Missionary Ridge). There is also a Confederate Cemetery downtown that is worth the stop.

 

[bdtex]

Also, take a drive down Crest Drive (which is the road that runs down the spine of Missionary Ridge). There is also a Confederate Cemetery downtown that is worth the stop.

Good catch. I forgot to mention the Confederate Cemetery. I have been there a couple of times. Great stop on a Civil War tour through Chattanooga.

 

[UCVRelics]

All great suggestions. All I can add is what is on all the red barns say "SEE RUBY FALLS"

 

[Rhea Cole]

Ranger Lee White's Bushehacking on a Grand Scale, the Battle of Chickamauga (available online) is the ideal guide to that very convoluted landscape. White is that rare combination of historian, ranger & lifelong resident. His books on both Chickamauga & Franklin are a hybrid of battle narrative & driving tour.

I have been to Chic-Chatt many times. It really is hard to wrap your brain around. I well remember standing between a line of cannon facing away from one another during my first visit to Chickamauga. One was Union , one was CSA, the lunettes on the trails were only a few steps apart.

With White's book, you can survey the ground while reading a narrative of events at that place & know how it fits with the timeline of the battle. Check the schedule, there are regular ranger talks & you might have the pleasure of hearing Lee in person.

I highly recommend spending the night at the bed & breakfast in the captain's quarters on the parade ground at Fort Olglethorpe. You can see the visitor center out the back window. The perfect way to end your day is on the veranda at Sugars BBQ on Missionary Ridge. The vote is panoramic, the BBQ & grilled okra is delicious & the beer is very cold. Enjoy.

 

[JeffFromSyracuse]

Ranger Lee White's Bushehacking on a Grand Scale, the Battle of Chickamauga (available online) is the ideal guide to that very convoluted landscape. White is that rare combination of historian, ranger & lifelong resident. His books on both Chickamauga & Franklin are a hybrid of battle narrative & driving tour.

I have been to Chic-Chatt many times. It really is hard to wrap your brain around. I well remember standing between a line of cannon facing away from one another during my first visit to Chickamauga. One was Union , one was CSA, the lunettes on the trails were only a few steps apart.

With White's book, you can survey the ground while reading a narrative of events at that place & know how it fits with the timeline of the battle. Check the schedule, there are regular ranger talks & you might have the pleasure of hearing Lee in person.

When I was touring Western Theater battlefields in 2018, some (including Chickamagua) had a number you could call at various points on the field that gives you a really good narration of what happened in front of you. Really helped this Eastern Theater-focused traveler understand what I was touring.

So there's that option too!

 

[rebracer]

Just make sure you take the actual "established" road to the Craven's House. I was shown a questionable way to get there on my map program on my phone and couldnt make it up the steep road. I didnt find out till afterwards there was a better way.

Research the roads before you go, if you are not one of the mountain people it can be a nervous thing getting used to unfamiliar mountain roads.

Also be sure to visit the police station at Lookout Mountain and see the Cave Guns on display there.

 

[davepi2]

Researching the roads is something I learned about on the Vicksburg campaign trail. A couple I'm glad I skipped.

 

[Lubliner]

Researching the roads is something I learned about on the Vicksburg campaign trail. A couple I'm glad I skipped.

You may want to venture onto Signal Mountain where there is a park. The Signal Point Park is where the flag lines were sighted down the river's gorge. This will necessitate crossing the river at the Market Street bridge, and turning left to proceed up toward Stringer's Ridge. Going through the tunnel you come to a light at Signal Mountain Blvd. and turn left again. You will get a wonderful view of the mountain as you approach it. The Raccoon Mountain will be way off to your left by the time you pass Komatsu.
Lubliner.

 

[davepi2]

Are there any historical monuments or markers for Brown's Ferry or anywhere else on The Cracker Line? This would also include Bridgeport, Alabama.

 

[bdtex]

Are there any historical monuments or markers for Brown's Ferry or anywhere else on The Cracker Line? This would also include Bridgeport, Alabama.

Yes. There is a walking trail with markers. Myself, @Buckeye Bill and @KLSDAD went there in 2018.

 

[davepi2]

Yes. There is a walking trail with markers. Myself, @Buckeye Bill and @KLSDAD went there in 2018

Thank you very much. I just now saw the west bank is private property. Found the park trail you are speaking of. Thanks again.

 

[Lubliner]

Reflection Riding Pool at the northern western base of Lookout has some trails running down Lookout Creek. The last time I went, (2003) there was a charge for walking the trail, I think. It has a museum of some sort that displays the wildlife and nature of the area. Whatever else I don't recall.
Lubliner.

 

[David Moore]

If you have time explore the area south and west of Chattanooga. See the Tennessee River at Bridgeport Alabama. Cross Lookout Mountain at Trenton Georgia. Visit the Davis Crossroads area south of Chickamauga. Ideally you should trace the route from Murfreesboro to Chattanooga. Chickamauga battlefield is only a part of the story.

 

[JeffFromSyracuse]

The Wauhatchie marker isn't much, but it's right off the main road off the west side of Lookout Mountain.

 

[Rhea Cole]

Reflection Riding Pool at the northern western base of Lookout has some trails running down Lookout Creek. The last time I went, (2003) there was a charge for walking the trail, I think. It has a museum of some sort that displays the wildlife and nature of the area. Whatever else I don't recall.
Lubliner.

It is an arboretum & a small zoo. A few years ago, Stones River living history signalists setup there & siged to Sunset Rock & Point Park atop Lookout Mountain. The pack of red wolves were howling & yipping the entire time. It was pretty cool. We were sending & receiving historic messages at the same date & time on the anniversary. The constant uproar of the Wolfpack added something extra ordinary to the experience.

A sudden gust of wind caught a ranger on Sunset Rock in mid flag wave, knocking him off balance & nearly throwing him off the rock into space. I had him centered in my telescope & he completely disappeared. The shocked body language of the two young women standing behind him is burned into my memory.

My wife & I always enjoyed signalising, but that trip was really something.

 

[James N.]

I have been to Chic-Chatt many times. It really is hard to wrap your brain around. I well remember standing between a line of cannon facing away from one another during my first visit to Chickamauga. One was Union , one was CSA, the lunettes on the trails were only a few steps apart...

A familiar sight at Shiloh as well!

 

[Lubliner]

It is an arboretum & a small zoo. A few years ago, Stones River living history signalists setup there & siged to Sunset Rock & Point Park atop Lookout Mountain. The pack of red wolves were howling & yipping the entire time. It was pretty cool. We were sending & receiving historic messages at the same date & time on the anniversary. The constant uproar of the Wolfpack added something extra ordinary to the experience.

A sudden gust of wind caught a ranger on Sunset Rock in mid flag wave, throwing him off balance & nearly threw him off the rock into space. I had him centered in my telescope & he completely disappeared. The shocked body language of the two young women standing behind him is burned into my memory.

My wife & I always enjoyed signalising, but that trip was really something.

The latest news I have read is the Habitat for Humanity built something back on the trail. Edward's Point is another good spot, but it requires a pretty long hike out from Signal Point. On top of Suck Creek Mountain is Prentiss Cooper State Park with some amazing views overlooking the river gorge.
Lubliner.

 

[davepi2]

Thanks for all the tips that everyone gave. Other then a little bit of drizzle on Saturday morning at Chickamauga the weather was great over the weekend. I think this is the only time I have ever been able to look out my hotel window and see a battlefield over 5 miles away but there was Craven's House. Found Brown's Ferry and Signal Point easily. Made a big difference getting around by doing a little research first.