7th Mississippi Infantry
Brev. Brig. Gen'l
- Joined
- Sep 28, 2013
- Location
- Southwest Mississippi
http://www.popcultmag.com/obsessions/firstpersonescapades/confederama/confederama1.html
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I was extremely happy to "rediscover" this in May when I visited Chattanooga and Lookout Mountain for the first time since 1991 when I very briefly passed through. Contrary to what the author of the accompanying linked account was incorrectly told, the Confederama was built in the 1950's and peopled by 30mm figures and cannon made by the company SAE - Swedish African Engineers in South Africa! In this European-settled country, the manufacturer followed European standards, using a typically European toy soldier size and lead as the material. I still own a few of these that were only available in exclusive American toy retailers in the 1950's and 1960's; I even bought some at one of my several memorable visits to the Confederama itself.
Though the diorama and its museum of Civil War artifacts is now owned by Rock City and located just outside Point Park atop Lookout Mountain, it was originally in Chattanooga in two different locations, one near the station for the Incline Railway up Lookout. It was originally built by an entrepeneur who ran it for many years. The Confederama had at least one imitator in Murfreesboro, Tenn.: another model-maker around the time of the Centennial in the 1960's created his own, also using the 30mm SAE figures, depicting the Battle of Stones River. Since that was a lesser-known battle in a ( then ) remote little town, it folded after only a few years; I saw no trace of it on my vacation.
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Folder and postcards from my visit in 1961.
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I never go to see it. I visited for a summer in Northern Alabama as a kid. I did get to see Chickamauga, Chatanooga and Rock City. I did get the Cofederama Brochure, but never got to see it, (bummer).
I lived in Natchez awhile. It's a very good lunch spot.Not Confederate but similarly themed roadside restaurant called Mammy's Cupboard just outside Natchez on U.S. 61. Passed by this place many, many times to and from college but never stopped. I believe it was built in the 40's and the picture looks as though it has been spruced up quite a bit.
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I think it did,That is really cool! I love dioramas and that in itself would be worth the price of admission! I wonder, did the model railroad exhibit move with it to the new home? Love trains too!
You're welcome.Very cool 7th Miss. Thanks for sharing.
You're welcome.
I had forgotten all about the place until I came across the link in my original post.
Since it brought back memories for me, I thought it might for others.
I did.Did you notice the '59 Bel Air Chevy in the parking lot of James' post?