Chattanooga History

Where Cotton Meets Corn

The name Chattanooga comes from a Native American word for “rock coming to a point,” referring to the shape of the sharp summit of nearby Lookout Mountain. Before European settlement, the Chattanooga area was inhabited by various Native American tribes for over 8,000 years, including the Cherokee, Creek, and Chickasaw. The Cherokee Nation established a town later called Ross's Landing on the Tennessee River, which would become the city of Chattanooga, as well as the departure point for the Trail of Tears.

In 1816, the first permanent European settlement was established in Chattanooga by John Ross, an Indian agent of Cherokee descent who would unite the Cherokee tribes as chief. His warehouse became an important supply source for both settlers and native tribes, and a town soon took hold on the riverbanks, growing rapidly in the following decades and attracting settlers from all over the region.

Known as the site “where cotton meets corn,” Chattanooga served as the gateway to the Deep South after the railroad came to town. 

Whether by river or rail, the city was the main artery of cargo traveling south. Chattanooga played a significant role in the transportation and trade of goods due to its location at the intersection of the Tennessee River and several major railroads.

Gateway to the South

During the Civil War, the city was a strategic target for both the Union and Confederate armies because of its importance in transporting troops and supplies. In 1863, the Battle of Chattanooga was fought in and around the city, resulting in a Union victory that helped secure control of the region. The emotional impact of this historic battle can be experienced at the Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park. 

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Chattanooga's importance as a transportation hub continued to grow. The city became known as the "Gateway to the South" because of its location at the crossroads of several major railroads. The Tennessee River also played a significant role in the movement of goods through Chattanooga. Barges and steamboats transported goods such as coal, timber, and cotton downriver to other ports along the Mississippi River and the Gulf of Mexico.

Forging a Legacy

After the Civil War, Chattanooga underwent a period of rapid industrialization, becoming a major center for manufacturing and transportation. The city's strategic location as a transportation hub, combined with its abundant natural resources, made it an ideal site for factories and an attractive destination for entrepreneurs and investors.

“Chattanooga is a young and prosperous city, beautifully located, and with a great future before it.” – John Thomas Wilder, Civil War veteran and entrepreneur

In the late 19th century, Chattanooga became a center of the emerging iron and steel industry, thanks to its proximity to the coal fields of Appalachia. Investors referred to it as the “Chicago of the South.” The city also became a major producer of textiles due to the availability of cheap labor and the abundance of cotton in the surrounding region. 

Revitalization and Progress

During World War II, Chattanooga played a critical role in the war effort. The city's manufacturing facilities produced a variety of goods for the military, including steel, munitions, and aircraft components.

In the decades following the war, Chattanooga faced many of the same challenges as other industrial cities in the United States, including deindustrialization and economic decline. However, in recent years, Chattanooga has experienced a resurgence, thanks in part to investments in technology and sustainable industries. Chattanooga is a city that seamlessly blends the old and the new, the natural and the urban, to create a truly unique and unforgettable experience.