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    Signal Mountain
    Signal Mountain
    Signal Mountain
    Ebook177 pages55 minutes

    Signal Mountain

    By Mary Scott Norris and Priscilla Shartle

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    About this ebook

    Signal Mountain occupies a portion of Walden's Ridge, a plateau on the lower end of the Appalachian Mountains just outside of Chattanooga. The Creek and Cherokee Indians who used this area for hunting sent smoke signals from the palisades overlooking Moccasin Bend, Williams Island, and the Tennessee River. Union soldiers also sent signals from this lookout, which is now part of Signal Point Park. In 1913, Charles E. James opened the Signal Mountain Inn, beginning the community's development. Resort amenities included golf, swimming and boating on Rainbow Lake, a casino and dance hall, and daily walks to the mineral waters of Burnt Cabin Springs. During World War I, soldiers stationed at Fort Oglethorpe visited the area to spend time with their families. Dignitaries and movie stars arrived for the fine dining and clear mountain air. From this time on, the community grew by leaps and bounds.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherArcadia Publishing
    Release dateSep 18, 2012
    ISBN9781439635575
    Signal Mountain
    Author

    Mary Scott Norris

    Author Mary Scott Norris is a lifelong resident of Signal Mountain. She worked as an archivist and librarian at the Signal Mountain Library. Now retired, Norris continues her work as a member of the town of Signal Mountain historical committee. She also writes a column for the Signal Mountain Mirror. Coauthor Priscilla N. Shartle is the author of a biography of Ellis Smith, one of Signal Mountain�s early letter carriers. She is a retired editor of the Signal Mountain Mirror. She and her family own the GRAPEViNE stores in Chattanooga.

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      Book preview

      Signal Mountain - Mary Scott Norris

      authors.

      INTRODUCTION

      The long plateau known as Walden’s Ridge, near the tip end of the Appalachian mountain range, has always beckoned travelers to stay a while and enjoy the quiet woods, rippling streams, and majestic, breathtaking views. In the beginning it was a hunting ground. Wildlife—deer, wild turkeys, and rabbit—was plentiful. Native Americans and pioneers alike enjoyed the abundance of game. With time, animal trails became footpaths, and footpaths became pioneer roads. These roads were eventually widened and, in many cases, are the same roads used today. At the dawn of history, the mound builders arrived, leaving mounds of shells that enable us to trace their steps to the Tennessee River. The Creeks were next, and then came the Cherokees. All of these tribes had their villages near the Tennessee River for drinking, cooking, and navigation. Water meant their very lives. It is said that these early people used what is now Signal Point to signal vital messages.

      Walden’s Ridge did not escape the War Between the States. There were pockets of Confederate families living on farms, most on the back of the mountain near easier access to the valley. Confederate general Braxton Bragg held Chattanooga, but Union soldiers were on the surrounding plateaus around the city and used Signal Point as a relay station. The Federals kept their horses in a pen near Corral Road. Occasionally a skirmish took place between the two sides. Col. John Thomas was waiting for his chance to take the city. This did occur, and after the war was over, General Wilder came back, having been promoted, purchased the same spot, and built a home where he displayed his medals.

      During the 1800s, there were yellow fever and cholera epidemics that took many lives. The worst was the yellow fever siege of 1878. It was traced to a steamer from Cuba that docked in New Orleans in May. Swiftly people became infected, and the death toll began to rise in city after Southern city. In Chattanooga, the decision makers thought that the city was not humid enough and the air too fresh for the illness to be a threat. Many of the afflicted were brought to Chattanooga to recuperate. Soon many of the inhabitants became ill, and the more affluent families fled for the mountains surrounding the city. Here they could spend the hot days in a climate that was about 10 degrees cooler than the valley.

      As it happened, Charles E. James was among those who came to the mountain to escape illness. He was a man of vision and was enamored with his surroundings. A dream began to form in his mind. In 1885, he bought a parcel of land near Signal Point, named it Signal Point City, and put lots up for sale. There were problems, and the idea was postponed. One reason could have been that transportation to this remote area was difficult. By 1913, James had brought the electric line up the front of the mountain and had built the Signal Mountain Inn. This formerly isolated area became easily accessible and forever changed.

      James finished the golf club in 1918, and this was the catalyst that brought about the chartering of the town. Farm animals often rested idly on the greens and on private lawns. On April 4, 1919, the Town of Signal Mountain was chartered. The first business was to hire a man with a saddle horse to round up strays and impound them on Carlin Street.

      Signal Mountain would not have evolved in this idyllic way without benefactors and community-minded clubs. Walter A. Marr was a brilliant and altruistic citizen without whom this mountain settlement would not be the same. He was an automobile magnate who was a key player at the beginning of the industry. His peers were Henry Ford, Walter Chrysler, Billy Durant, and the Dodge brothers. He was a devout person and a family man and helped in every way possible to make Signal Mountain a nurturing place for children to grow. Realizing that there was a need for a spiritual haven, he built Marr Chapel, and he and his wife presented it to people of all faiths; it is now part of the Signal Mountain Presbyterian Church.

      Mr. and Mrs. Z. Cartter Patten II (Elizabeth) gave the town two large tracts of land now known as Coolidge Parkway, named for a young hero, Sgt. Charles Coolidge, who was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for extraordinary valor in World War II. Many times, the Pattens made a donation to help when there was a need in the town. Mr. Patten penned Signal Mountain and Walden’s Ridge, often called most accurate history ever written about the mountain. They built a lovely home known as Longview and resided there part of the year. Their love for the mountain was always evident.

      The Garden Club of Signal Mountain and the Community Guild planted dogwoods up and down the streets of the town starting in 1928. Every spring, when the dogwoods bloom, locals are thankful for these industrious workers of long ago. The beauty of the landscape is one of the primary reasons people have moved to the mountain over the decades. Some fun events are the Fourth of July picnic and fireworks and the Labor Day barbecue. These events have been presented by the Lions Club and the Community Guild. There is a book sale at the library.

      The first public school, the Signal Mountain Grammar School, was for grades one through eight. The wonderful little school produced many scholars. The building continues to be used for the Mountain Arts Community Center and holds classes pertaining to the arts.

      One of the first grocery stores was Morgan’s Store. Outside were bags of feed for animals and chickens, and firewood was for sale. Through the double doors, the interior was very dark and mysterious in the eyes of a child, with only a few light bulbs hanging down from

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