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Chattanooga, Tennessee

"Scenic City"

Once mocked as the dirtiest city in America, Chattanooga transformed itself into a model of urban renewal with the nation's fastest internet and a stunning riverfront.

Founded 1816 | Population 196,108 | Peak 196,108 (2024) | County Hamilton County

Top 10 Most Important Events for Chattanooga, Tennessee

1

1863 Battles of Chattanooga: Union forces under Grant broke the Confederate siege in the Battles of Lookout Mountain and Missionary Ridge, opening the path to Atlanta and splitting the Confederacy.

2

1969 Dirtiest City in America: The federal government declared Chattanooga had the worst air quality in the nation, shaming the city into dramatic environmental reforms.

3

1992 Tennessee Aquarium Opens: The world's largest freshwater aquarium opened on the riverfront, anchoring downtown's transformation from industrial wasteland.

4

2010 Gig City — Fastest Internet: EPB launched a citywide 1-gigabit fiber network, making Chattanooga the first U.S. city with gigabit internet and earning it the nickname 'Gig City.'.

5

2015 Volkswagen Plant: VW's Chattanooga assembly plant became a major employer, producing Passat and Atlas vehicles.

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Latest News in Chattanooga

Rep. Burchett Urges Full UFO Disclosure: Tennessee Congressman Presses Trump to Declassify Files Amid Renewed Interest in Unidentified Phenomena

Rep. Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.) is once again pushing President Donald Trump to tear down the veil of secrecy surrounding unidentified…

Group Digs Boys Casket After 90 Years Taken Aback when They Open it

In a quiet corner of rural Tennessee, a group of historians and locals gathered on a crisp April day in 2016 to unearth a mystery …

Man Banned Having Any More Kids Learns his Fate

In a Tennessee courtroom on March 13, 2016, a man who had racked up a staggering number of children without the means to support t…

Man Gets Banned Having Any More Children

In early 2016, a Tennessee man found himself at the center of a highly unusual court case that drew national attention. On Februar…

What Elvis Presley Wouldve Looked Age 80 Photos

Memphis, Tennessee – Back in January, the world marked what would have been Elvis Presley’s 80th birthday, and by December…

Army Wife Writes Letter Peyton Manning Immediately Contacted Police

FORT CARSON, Colo. — Back in August 2015, an Army wife took a bold step that set off a chain of events involving one of football…

Complete Historical Timeline

1816 Government

John Ross establishes trading post

1863 Disaster

Civil War battles at Lookout Mountain

1880 Industry

Railroad hub and industrial boom

1969 Disaster

Named dirtiest city in America

1992 Culture

Tennessee Aquarium opens

2005 Business

21st Century Waterfront plan

2010 Science

First U.S. city with gigabit internet

2015 Business

Volkswagen plant expands

Did You Know?

1

Chattanooga went from 'dirtiest city in America' (1969) to a national model of urban renewal in just 25 years.

2

EPB's gigabit internet made Chattanooga the first 'Gig City' in America — internet 50x faster than the national average at the time.

3

The Battles of Chattanooga in 1863 were so dramatic that the 'Battle Above the Clouds' at Lookout Mountain became legendary.

Famous People from Chattanooga, Tennessee

BS

Bessie Smith

Singer, Musician · Born Apr 15, 1894 · Died Sep 26, 1937 (age 43)

RM

Ralphie May

Comedian, Television Actor · Born Feb 17, 1972 · Died Oct 6, 2017 (age 45)

AG

Arthur Golden

Screenwriter, Writer · Born Dec 6, 1956 · Age 69

RT

Roscoe Tanner

Tennis Player · Born Oct 15, 1951 · Age 74

RB

Rachel Boston

Actor, Stage Actor · Born May 9, 1982 · Age 43

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