We brushed up on our knowledge of
Tennessee history at the Chickamauga
and Chattanooga National Military
Park by watching a movie titled Death
Knell of the Confederacy. We also learned
more from another Civil War battle
show, The Battles of Chattanooga, in a
visitors’ center across from Point Park, a
10-acre memorial park that overlooks
the Lookout Mountain Battlefield and
the city of Chattanooga.
Because of its location and the railroads
that ran through it, Chattanooga became
a strategic battleground during the
Civil War in the 1860s due to its valued
supply routes. Both Union Generals
William Sherman and Ulysses Grant
were brought in to keep the city under
Union Army control.
While we were on Lookout Mountain,
we visited Rock City of the famous
“See Rock City” painted barn roof sign
advertising campaign initiated in the
late 1920s. This privately owned family
attraction features trails, plus swinging
and rock bridges for exploring waterfalls,
exotic botanical specimens, natural rock
formations and vistas of the area below
including seven states.
We also descended by elevator and
hiked below Lookout Mountain’s
surface to see Ruby Falls’ stunning
displays, rock formations and the
145-foot-tall underground waterfall that
was discovered in a cave more than
1,000 feet below the mountain’s surface
in 1928. Seeing this large, colorfully lit
underground gusher of water was aweinspiring.
JULY/AUGUST 2018 | TAMPA BAY MAGAZINE 151
Right: At the new Songbirds
museum, there are more than
500 vintage guitars that have
helped define the musical
heritage of our country.
Far right: Terminal Station has
been converted into a hotel and
entertainment complex called
the Chattanooga Choo Choo in
recognition of Glenn Miller’s 1941
hit that was the first song to earn a
gold disc from RCA Victor, selling
more than 1.2 million copies.
The downtown Marriott
hotel has recently
been renovated and is
conveniently located for
exploring the city.