Chattanooga is a city in southeast Tennessee and the county seat of Hamilton since 1819. About 115 miles (185 km) north of Atlanta, the city is located at the Moccasin Bend of the Tennessee River, close to the Georgia border. The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) power system has its headquarters in Chattanooga and has played a significant role in the city's economic development since the 1930s.
When John Ross, who would eventually become a Cherokee chief, built a trading post (known as Ross's Landing) on the river, the area was populated around 1815. The new name, Chattanooga, was adopted in 1838 and is taken from a Creek word for the neighboring Lookout Mountain, which means "rock rising to a point." The town was initially established as a river port, and the coming of the railroads in the area fueled its growth in the 1840s and 50s.
During the American Civil War, Chattanooga served as a crucial Confederate communications hub and was a key target for the Union army. Following the crucial battles of Chickamauga Creek and Chattanooga (in September and November 1863, respectively), Union forces took control of the city and used it as a supply base for General William Tecumseh Sherman's attack on Atlanta. The city's historic surroundings are protected inside the 13 square mile (33 square kilometer) Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park, which was established in 1890 and spans multiple locations in Tennessee and Georgia. The main battlegrounds, as well as portions of Orchard Knob, Lookout and Signal mountains, and Missionary Ridge, are all included in the park. James J.'s remains are interred in the city's Chattanooga National Cemetery.
To make use of the local natural resources, iron and steel mills were constructed there after the war. By the late 1960s, air pollution had grown to be a significant issue, but over the following 25 years, a successful cleanup effort helped to reverse the situation. The economy of Chattanooga is now very varied. The TVA's electricity generation, services (such as government, healthcare, and education), insurance, and trucking are important contributing aspects. Processed foods, appliances, carpets, yarn, metal goods, asphalt, boilers, fire hydrants, and engines are just a few examples of manufactured goods. Additionally, Chattanooga is a well-liked convention city.
Other educational institutions include Tennessee Temple University (1946), Covenant College (1955), Southern Adventist University (1892) at nearby Lookout Mountain, Georgia, Chattanooga State Technical Community College (1965), and the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (1886). A symphony and opera organization, a community theater, a ballet, and the Hunter Museum of American Art are among the city's cultural attractions. The largest freshwater aquarium in the world is the Tennessee Aquarium, which was opened in 1992. The National Knife Museum and the International Towing and Recovery Hall of Fame and Museum are a few of the interesting attractions in the city.
Ruby Falls, a 145-foot waterfall, is located inside a cave on Lookout Mountain, which is ascended by a steep incline railway. At the summit of the mountain are a swinging bridge and strange stone formations known as Rock City. Tours of caves and a TVA power station are available at Raccoon Mountain, which is located in the city's southwest portion. State parks Booker T. Washington and Harrison Bay are located near Chickamauga Lake.
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