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Chattanooga arose in 1836, at the intersection
of the inter state wagon roads through the mountains, and is now the converging
point of nine railways, and an important port on the Tennessee River, being
only 34 miles farther from the Gulf of Mexico (by water), than Cincinnati.
There are 22 coal mines and 17 iron furnaces in
the district, producing yearly 1,250,000 tons of coal, and 2,400 coke ovens.
The first Bessemer steel in the South was made
here, and the Roane Works have a capacity of 250 tons daily.
The city has 152 factories, employing 8,500
persons and producing $11,000,000
worth of goods yearly.
It also enjoys a large trade in grain and
lumber.
Rising 1,700 feet above the Tennessee River, the
world famed Lookout
Mountain lifts its noble head,
from which seven states may be seen.
The natural panorama is remarkable, and
travelers who have journeyed on both sides of the water say that the views from
Lookout Point are without a peer. To the natural attractions are added memories
of historic importance. The mountain and its surroundings were the scene of
some of the greatest struggles of the Civil War.
These sights are now easily accessible to the
tourist, owing to the completion of the Chattanooga & Lookout Mountain
Railway, a standard broad gauge road, operating the best of rolling stock.
Every train has with it one or two Pullman coaches.
The length of the road from
Chattanooga to the top of the mountain is ten miles. The line traverses some of
the better suburbs of the city, and beginning the ascent passes the old Cravens
house, which was occupied by General Walthall as his headquarters during the
battle.
Following the trend of the mountain, the train passes the various
points of interest, including the old Confederate fort, which is still
standing. The line ends at Lookout Point, 1,700 feet above the sea level.
Every
precaution against accident has been taken. The track is heavily ballasted
with stone, and laid with the best 6o pound steel rails. The engines are equipped with Westinghouse and
Eames automatic brakes.
At the end of the road and on the top of the
mountain is the Lookout Inn, one of the best hotels in the South, and in fact
one of the finest resorts in America.
The building is five
stories high, and including its two extensive wings, it is 365 feet in length.
It is an attractive and substantial brick and stone structure, designed by
Sully & Toledano. In the centre is a lofty tower, at the top of which rises
an observatory, whence may be had the finest view from the mountain. Verandas
extend entirely around the building.
The hotel has 600 rooms, and with the
annexed cottages can accommodate 1,000 guests. The grand hall is 50 by 80
feet; and the dining room, which is 70 by 115 feet, will seat 600 persons.
An orchestra and
band are present all the season, and scarcely an evening passes without a hop
or a german.
Some of the choicest parts of Lookout Mountain
have been laid out for residences, and the Lookout Mountain Company has brought
about a considerable settlement in this locality, so famous for its history and
so charming for its picturesqueness.
Coming down from
Lookout Mountain, but before arriving at Chattanooga, can be seen the grand
property of the Chattanooga Land, Coal, Iron & Railway Company. This company owns 20,000 acres of
land, one third of which is nearer the city than any other unoccupied territory. The property
of the company is bordered by eleven miles of deep water river front.
Hamilton County, in
which Chattanooga is situated, has built a public bridge over the Tennessee
River, leading direct from the heart of the city to the company's property. The
bridge is of iron and steel, built at a cost of $250,000.
The company owns
5,000 acres on Walden's Ridge. This situation is remarkable for its sanitary
excellence, being a part of the celebrated Cumberland table land, where no case of pulmonary
consumption ever occurred. These lands abound in coal and fossiliferous iron ores. The coal is excellent for coking
purposes.
In addition to this, the
company owns 7,500 acres of fine limestone property. The Chattanooga Land,
Coal, Iron & Railway
Company is heavily backed by Northern and English capital, and forms one of the
soundest organizations of this character in the South.
The company has built an electric railway,
reaching from the heart of the city, and running through its property nearest
the city. Its plans are also matured for a standard gauge steam railway bridge
over the Tennessee River, and a railway to the mountains for the development of
its great areas of coal.
It contemplates
adding a residence and manufacturing suburb to Chattanooga, and gives liberal
aid to enterprises locating on its lands.
Kings Handbook of the United States 1891-1892
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