From 1889-1907 The University of Chattanooga was known as U.S. Grant University after merging with the college of the same name in Athens, TN (now Tennessee Wesleyan College). The university was contained in one large building named 'Old Main'. It housed all the classrooms, laboratories and library - and dominated Chattanooga’s skyline until 1917, when it was razed.

A fascinating view from a now submerged shoreline. It’s possible this was taken during an unusually low level, based on positions of ‘houseboats’ and a gathering of people on the relatively new Walnut Street Bridge. This is obviously pre-1904 as there is no Faxon residence on the bluff (now the Hunter Museum of Art).

A once mighty icon of history - Bird’s Mill on Chickamauga Creek

Wealthy millwright Philemon Bird purchased Brainerd Mission property in the early 1850s, and constructed a large mill. Bird’s Mill Road was a primary thoroughfare to the rural outskirts of Chattanooga.

In 1921, the Chickamauga Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution sought and secured the name change from Bird’s Mill Road to Brainerd Road.

The location now lies under Greenway View Drive - the access road to the Brainerd Wal-Mart.

It seems odd that a building-boom of middle-class homes would co-exist next to a massive lumber mill, but the photos show they did. The Snodgrass & Field Lumber Yards were located from East 4th Street to the river.

The first photo was likely taken around the 700 block of East 4th - looking SE. The Univ. of TN at Chattanooga’s McKenzie arena is now just to the right of the view shown - halfway down the hill.

In the 2nd photo, Payne Street (now Battery Place) simply dead ends into the sprawling lumber facility.

The tall piles of lumber are stacked specifically for proper drying - a method called Stickering - the use of narrow strips of wood between the layers of lumber for air-flow.

Area of the Snodgrass & Field Lumber Yard

The water mill seen here appears in many photos in the collection though its location has not been determined, but was likely on the South Chickamauga Creek that meanders across the (then rural) areas north and east of Chattanooga.

The wooden dam is broken - so this may be more of a retreat location than operational. The young ladies are actually casually dressed for the time period. The ‘pilot’ has a piece of fern wrapped across her hair.

The watercraft is unique. It is constructed of heavy planks nailed together. One rusty rail is seen menacingly protruding from the rear of the vessel.

At 1:45pm we see a likely mother and daughter enjoying the leisurely world of the middle class at the beginning of the 20th century.

The little girl seems quite content with her paper and ceramic dolls, while the mother is likely ready for a nap.