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MUMBLINGS May 12, 2005
Yes, there is a Choo Choo Train in Chattanooga, Tennessee,
as well as many other sites.
Fact is, there is a total of 153,000 population. Located
in extreme southeast Tennessee and close to northeast Alabama and northwest
Georgia, Chattanooga has a treasure of railroad history and lore.
The Chattanooga Choo Choo was a major link
in public transportation between the north and south. It began in 1880 with the
first run of a Choo Choo Engine. A replica of the original engine is displayed.
Also there is the restored 1909 terminal, which contains a hotel, railroad
museum, shops and restaurants.
Then there's the Lookout Mountain Incline
Railway, which is the steepest in the world. Listen to their ad: "America's
most amazing mile. Your visit to Lookout Mountain would not be complete without
experiencing 'the most overlooked place on earth'. Join the millions of
visitors who have traveled up the tracks of the world's steepest passenger
railway… the Incline is an exciting trip to the top of scenic Lookout
Mountain." There is even a Chattanooga Choo Choo Holiday Inn. Chattanooga's
Terminal Station, the hub of activity during the early 1900's, still reaches
guests in the 24-acre vacation complex, which boasts 300 guest rooms, including
48 sleeping parlors in rail cars.
Another interesting place is the
International Towing and Recovery Hall of Fame and Museum. It displays restored
and antique tow trucks, industry-related collectable toys, tools, equipment,
and pictorial histories of manufacturers. At least unusual.
Because of the city being an important
railway center, the area played a huge part in the War Between the States.
Nearby is the Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park. Straddling
the Georgia, Tennessee border, the 9,000-acre park commemorates the 1863 Battle
of Chickamauga and the battle for Chickamauga-Chattanooga that occurred later
that same year. It's the oldest National Military Park administered by the
National Park Service.
For years, one of the most advertised
spots in the country has been Rock City on Lookout Mountain near Chattanooga.
Old-timers can remember seeing hundreds of barn tops painted with the words
"See Rock City." Millions of gallons of paint must have been used to advertise
this interesting spot. Of course the rocks have been there for years and
haven't changed and probably never will, but in addition to these rocks, there
are many other things to see.
A real phenomenon is a 145-foot
underground waterfall. Over 70 years ago, 1930, during the excavation of the
420-foot deep elevator shaft to the original Lookout Mountain Cave, a small
opening was found at the 260-foot level. Leo Lambert and a group of workers
entered the underground opening where they heard the sound of flowing water in
the distance.
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