21 Chattanooga Facts: History, Food, Tourism, And Much More

Shirin Biswas
Nov 21, 2022 By Shirin Biswas
Originally Published on Jan 25, 2022
Fact-checked by Niyati Parab
Learn some Chattanooga facts with us today!

Chattanooga may not be as large as Nashville, but it is just as fun to visit.

The name Chattanooga is derived from a Creek word. It can be translated to 'rock rising to a point' and is associated with the Lookout Mountain.

Chattanooga is a city located in southern Tennessee that has a rich history dating back to the early 1800s. The city was once known as the Gateway to the South because of its location on the Tennessee River, which served as a major transportation route for goods and passengers.

Chattanooga's economy is now largely based on tourism, manufacturing, and healthcare. In this article, we will explore the wonderful history of Chattanooga and discuss some of the notable landmarks and attractions that make it such an interesting place to visit!

Facts About Chattanooga

There are many things in the scenic city of Chattanooga that attract many people from all corners of the world.

Whether it is Lookout Mountain, the Chattanooga Bakery, the Lookout Mountain flight park, International Towing and Recovery Hall of Fame and Museum, or the miniature golf courses that attract you, the Chattanooga area is sure to show you and your family a great time!

  • The Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park includes areas such as the Orchard Knob and Missionary Ridge!
  • At the top of Lookout Mountain, there are stone formations, which eventually came to be known as Rock City!
  • Chattanooga has been a Tree City since 1990, when it was first declared so!
  • The oldest Camelback Truss Bridge is none other than the Walnut Street Bridge of Chattanooga.
  • The 'Chattanooga Choo Choo' by Glen Miller and his orchestra won a gold record. Therefore, the city's contribution to the music industry is also great!
  • Some of the famous people who were born in this beautiful city are Samuel L. Jackson, Reggie White, Peyton Manning, and Usher!

Chattanooga's History

Chattanooga's history can be traced back to 1819, when the city was first constructed. At that time, Chattanooga was a small village with a population of just over 100 people. The city's economy was based largely on agriculture and transportation. Chattanooga served as a major transportation hub for goods and passengers traveling between the eastern and western United States.

  • Chattanooga was an important part of the American Civil War.
  • In this city, the Battle of Chattanooga was fought, wherein the Union troops and Confederate armies engaged in three different conflicts.
  • The Chattanooga National Military Park is a place of importance since it contains the major battlefields of the Civil War.
  • It contains places such as Orchard Knob, Lookout and Signal Mountains, as well as Missionary Ridge.
  • The Battle of Chattanooga ended in a Union victory, which was led by the commander Ulysses S. Grant.
  • In a series of three battles fought at Chattanooga, the Union had more troops than the Confederates, which led them to a clear win!
  • Grant later went on to become the 18th president of the United States of America.
  • It was in this city that the first franchise for bottling Coca-Cola was bought!
  • The franchise was bought by two attorneys from Chattanooga, who invested nothing more than a dollar each!
  • Hamilton County, created in the 19th century, is a part of Chattanooga and reaches up to the borders of Georgia.
  • Chattanooga Bakery is also a very famous place, predominantly due to the invention of the Moon Cake!
  • A song about the city of Chattanooga also made history as it became the first to receive a gold record.
  • This is because the music industry saw the song remain at number one on the Billboard Best Sellers chart for nine whole weeks!
  • Another historical fact about Chattanooga is that this city was the birthplace of the concept of miniature golf.
  • The first miniature golf course was created by a man named Garnet Carter in 1927.
  • This was created on the Lookout Mountain by the founder of the Rock City Garden.
  • Garnet Carter created 'Tom Thumb Golf' with the clear intention of attracting more visitors to his inn!

Geographical Facts About Chattanooga

To become an important city, any place around the world would have to have a geographical location that would be beneficial for trade and commerce. The geographical location of the city supports many tourist activities as well, which makes it a popular destination!

  • This city is located in southern Tennessee of the United States of America.
  • This city shares its border with the state of Georgia.
  • Chattanooga, TN, is located on the banks of the Tennessee River, which makes it the state's fourth-largest metropolitan area.
  • This area includes northeastern Alabama, northwestern Georgia, and southeast Tennessee.
  • Chattanooga was also a major industrial and automobile area in the early 20th century.

Things To Do In Chattanooga

When in Chattanooga, there are many places that you can visit and a vast number of hotels and resorts that you can choose from. There are many facilities around the city and the sheer number of hotel rooms, which stands at way above 10,000, shows how people absolutely adore Chattanooga and its culture.

  • Since Chattanooga is the birthplace of tow trucks, the International Towing and Recovery Hall of Fame and Museum should be on your list!
  • The Walnut Street Bridge and The Walking Bridge are wonders that you should not miss out on!
  • The Lookout Mountain flight park is a place that is a must-visit for people who are interested in aviation.
  • This is because this place is the ultimate destination for people who want to receive training in aviation!
  • The Hunter Museum of American Art is also a place that you must visit in order to soak in the culture and artistic tendencies of the city.
  • If you want to learn more about the Civil War, the Chattanooga National Military Park would be a wonderland for you!

We Want Your Photos!
We Want Your Photos!

We Want Your Photos!

Do you have a photo you are happy to share that would improve this article?
Email your photos

More for You

See All

Written by Shirin Biswas

Bachelor of Arts specializing in English Language and Literature

Shirin Biswas picture

Shirin BiswasBachelor of Arts specializing in English Language and Literature

With a degree in English from Amity University, Noida, Shirin has won awards for oratory, acting, and creative writing. She has a wealth of experience as an English teacher, editor, and writer, having previously worked at Quizzy and Big Books Publishing. Her expertise lies in editing study guides for children and creating engaging content.

Read full bio >
Fact-checked by Niyati Parab

Bachelor of Commerce

Niyati Parab picture

Niyati ParabBachelor of Commerce

With a background in digital marketing, Niyati brings her expertise to ensure accuracy and authenticity in every piece of content. She has previously written articles for MuseumFacts, a history web magazine, while also handling its digital marketing. In addition to her marketing skills, Niyati is fluent in six languages and has a Commerce degree from Savitribai Phule Pune University. She has also been recognized for her public speaking abilities, holding the position of Vice President of Education at the Toastmasters Club of Pune, where she won several awards and represented the club in writing and speech contests at the area level.

Read full bio >