As featured in the
Free Press Archives FP_1964_35mm_neg_img633
Remembering The Goat Man
1964
For a good chunk of the 20th century, Charles "Goat Man" McCartney was a fixture in the South, a vagabond who wandered from state to state leading up to 30 goats.
McCartney is shown here in a 1964 Chattanooga Free Press photo dressed in his trademark overalls and railroad cap while on a swing through southeastern Tennessee.
The subject of a book and two documentary films, McCartney was a folk legend who traveled America's rural backroads as a self-styled minister and prophet from the 1930s to the 1980s.
Read more by Mark Kennedy at TIMESFREEPRESS.COM
OK Used Cars
1204 Broad St. - 1948
Over a half-century ago, automotive dealers thrived downtown along Broad Street where the TVA complex now occupies.
Read more by Mark Kennedy at TIMESFREEPRESS.COM
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Riverview Dairy Gold
1953
This 1953 Chattanooga Free Press photo shows the former Dairy Gold restaurant on Hixson Pike back when soft-serve ice cream and hamburgers hot off the grill were the bee's knees...
Locals may recognize this intersection of Hixson Pike and Dorchester Road as the center of a still-bustling retail and restaurant district in the Riverview area. Some of the houses in the background at the corner of Worthington Street and Hixson Pike remain there 67 years later.
Read more by Mark Kennedy at TIMESFREEPRESS.COM
Liggett Drugs - 7th & Market Streets
1953
Liggett's occupied the building at 630 Market St. from 1920 to 1962. It's now the home of United Way of Greater Chattanooga.
Read more by Mark Kennedy at TIMESFREEPRESS.COM
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Brock Candy Co.
1952
When Chattanooga was home to a confection empire.
Read more about it by Mark Kennedy at TIMESFREEPRESS.COM*
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McKee Bakery
1958
Behind the Scenes | Birth of a Jelly Roll
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McDonald Farm Ice Cream
1966
At one point in the 20th century, the 2,100-acre farm also operated a creamery in Sale Creek, which produced ice cream, milk, butter and cheese. The dairy goods were distributed to the McDonald family's Home Stores, a grocery chain which at its peak had 70 locations, according to newspaper archives...
Read more by Mark Kennedy at TIMESFREEPRESS.COM
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Carver Memorial Hospital
1949
Carver Memorial Hospital served the Black community here for 15 years during an era of segregation. It was one of the few municipally owned, tax-supported hospitals for Blacks in the US. When it opened in June 1947, it was fully accredited by the American College of Surgeons and the National Hospital Association. It had an operating room, laboratory, X-ray facilities and a maternity and nursery suite. There were 45 adult beds, five pediatric beds and 11 bassinets.
This image was almost lost due to degradation of the film negative - evident here. Fortunately it was scanned by the staff of the former Chattanooga History Center. Tens of thousands of film negatives remain unscanned in this collection - stored at the UTC and Public Library. It is unclear if they will ever be digitized. Many are decomposing on the shelves now.
Read more by Mark Kennedy at TIMESFREEPRESS.COM
Mystery Restaurant
Wednesday, December, 17th, 1958 at 8pm
A coy cashier looks away from the camera while taking a call. Despite all the details in the photo, none give away the location of this Chattanooga area restaurant. Many will enjoy this familiar view, identified as likely The Texan Restaurant at 1090 McCallie Ave.
Read more by Mark Kennedy at TIMESFREEPRESS.COM
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Northbound Dixie Flyer - 1953
A crystal clear view of the past is featured from a medium format photo negative. One of EPB's earliest employees and 'Safety Engineer' from 1940-1956, H. G. Pruett is shown visiting the rail yards that once defined Chattanooga.
Thanks to rail enthusiast Justin Strickland, we know the locomotive is the Dixie Flyer; operated by the Nashville, Chattanooga and St. Louis Railway.
Read more by Mark Kennedy at TIMESFREEPRESS.COM
Additional information about the Dixie Flyer at trains-and-railroads.com
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Home Stores
Birthplace of the Free Press
Roy McDonald began publishing an advertising circular in 1933. He called it The Free Press. It was delivered free door to door and was packed with news of what could be bought at his chain of groceries, the Home Stores.
Read more by Mark Kennedy at TIMESFREEPRESS.COM
Incline Drug and Surgical Co.
At the base of the Incline Railway from 1939 - 1996.
Read more by Mark Kennedy at TIMESFREEPRESS.COM
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Tomlinson's
"At least once a day, preferably in the cool of the evening, one should throw all cares to the world and dine leisurely and well."
Read more about it by Mark Kennedy at TIMESFREEPRESS.COM
Beauties in a Boat
April 1947
With nothing to go on - we look to you to find the identity of six lovely ladies posing in and inflatable raft. Their oars likely remained dry...
Read more by Mark Kennedy at TIMESFREEPRESS.COM
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Perry Mayo Donation PM_Big_Scramble_2
The Birth of an Interstate
~1960
Construction of I-24, facing west. Market Street is in foreground. The adjacent construction is the'I-124 spur', now TN State Highway 27.
SOURCE: Perry Mayo. Scan from original medium format negative.
Read more about it by Mark Kennedy at TIMESFREEPRESS.COM
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Almost lost - Walnut Street Bridge
Spring 1992 - just prior to restoration efforts.
Chattanooga's iconic new bridge was dedicated in February of 1891 with much fanfare. After all, it had been almost a quarter century since the city had a bridge - the last one washing away in floodwaters of 1867. One-hundred years later it faced an uncertain future. I remember my dad taking my sister and me to walk on the bridge one last time before it closed in 1978. Like most, he thought demolition was in its future.
This 28-year-old photo is the most current image on the website. It was donated by the family of Chattanooga Times photographer George Baker. A handful of negatives were found - all that remained of a long career, yet we're thankful for every one.
Read more about it by Mark Kennedy at TIMESFREEPRESS.COM
'The formal opening... will be commensurate with the importance of the occasion, and of a character giving abundant room for an opportunity to indulge in enthusiasm and jubilancy.'
Rev. Billy Graham at Engel Stadium
October 22nd, 1950
Read more by Mark Kennedy at TIMESFREEPRESS.COM
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White Oak Hardware
1947
Dayton Blvd., Red Bank.
Read more about it by Mark Kennedy at TIMESFREEPRESS.COM
Racial divisions of the past...
In February 1960 - Howard High School students led peaceful sit-ins at segregated lunch counters. Soon, each afternoon stores began closing down their lunch counter service - and sometimes their doors in response.
A small group of white youth mobs responded with inflammatory language and violence. So too gathered many onlookers each afternoon - drawn by natural interest in a spectacle. Tensions rose.
By the third day, Mayor Rudy Olgiatti instructed the fire department to utilize water hoses on crowds if trouble broke out. And when it did - Chattanooga became the first city to employ such a tactic on demonstrators (black & white)*. Calmer heads prevailed and the daily events subsided.
Read more by Mark Kennedy at TIMESFREEPRESS.COM
Chattanooga Free Press Archive FP_February_1960_Bill_Truex_img193
On Aug. 5, following extensive negotiations between pastors and merchants, black diners at several lunch counters in downtown Chattanooga finally received service.
“I'm gratified to see the community take such a forward step. I feel this is the American way of life.” 1
"I recognize the responsibility of every citizen throughout the world to find answers to the troubled times rather than being an abiding part of the problems." 1
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Moskin's
Dress up the family on CREDIT!
Time for some 1950 window shopping at 906 Market Street.
Read more about it by Mark Kennedy at
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Gateway Motel
...opened in January of 1951, described as 'ultra modern' with 18 guest rooms that command a sweeping and scenic view. There were also three 6-room cabins.
At the time, the Bachman Tubes (East Ridge Tunnels) were truly the gateway into Chattanooga - with the interstate still several years away.
The new motel was managed by Sam Abel, the son of a Russian immigrant who operated motels and hotels in Atlanta.
Read more by Mark Kennedy at
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Church Demolition 1953
The First Christian Church occupied this building from 1910-1952, when a new building was dedicated at 650 McCallie Ave.
You may recognize the location as the parking lot between the courthouse and the Flatiron Building.
Read more about it by Mark Kennedy at
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*link opens to external site that may not be accessible to non-subscribers.
Camp Joy
'Where Boys and Girls Begin to Live'
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Cameron Hill - Razed.
Urban Renewal & the creation of the Golden Gateway
Read more about it by Mark Kennedy at
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Mike's BBQ
4211 Rossville Blvd.
The sign of the dancing pig...
Read more by Mark Kennedy at
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SOURCE: EPB Archives - scan from medium format negative.
EPB of Chattanooga EPB_night_signs_Mikes_BBQ
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Shoney's of Hixson
May 1962
Chattanooga's first Shoney's restaurant opened as 'Shap's Big Boy'. The unique architecture remains, but the restaurant and drive-in are only a memory.
Read more about it by Mark Kennedy at
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*link opens to external site that may not be accessible to non-subscribers.
Highland Plaza
1962
As Hixson grew from rural lands to thriving suburbs, developers saw a need for closeby retail options.
Read more by Mark Kennedy at
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*link opens to external site that may not be accessible to non-subscribers.
SOURCE: EPB Archives - scan from medium format negative.
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Olgiati Bridge
Bridge dedication November 20th, 1959
Peter Rudolph "Rudy" Olgiati was the 55th Mayor of Chattanooga, Tennessee from 1951 to 1963. During his time in office, Olgiati oversaw the arrival of the interstate highway, the beginning of the Civil Rights movement, and the city's first urban renewal project. He is often accused of being one of Chattanooga's last political bosses.
He is also the namesake of Chattanooga's P.R. Olgiati Bridge. SOURCE: Wikipedia
Read more about it by Mark Kennedy at
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Power for Peace
1958
EPB's entry into the 1958 Armed Forces Day Parade as seen on Market Street at the current day Warehouse Row location.
Read more by Mark Kennedy at
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Back left: Carol Emmett Haas; Back right: Margaret Alice Cooper Dantzler
TAP IMAGE TO VIEW FULL PHOTO
EPB of Chattanooga EPB_Armed forces day parade May 1958_03
Perry Mayo Donation PM_N_Market_at_Cherokee_06
North Market at Frazier
Despite many changes, it's still a very recognizable view of 5 o'clock traffic at this busy intersection.
Read more about it by Mark Kennedy at
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A different Chattanooga...
A view of downtown as it was in the late 1950s. Many buildings are gone, yet many still remain.
Special thanks to Perry Mayo for sharing original medium format negatives taken by the Chattanooga Public Works Dept.
Read more by Mark Kennedy at
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Perry Mayo Donation PM_Downtown_05
Chattanooga Free Press Archive FP_July_23_1949_Delmont_Wilson_img899
Soap Box Derby
1949 Soap Box Derby winner Y.L. Coker Jr. is pictured with his proud mother, Dollie.
His father owned a grocery store on Brainerd Rd. That store can be seen on this page.
Read more about it by Mark Kennedy at
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Brainerd Cleaners
3105-7 Brainerd Road
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Nearby Businesses, 1946
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Down by the River
The Gordon C. Greene was built as "Cape Girardeau" in 1923 and was renamed several times.
It appeared in several movies including Gone with the Wind. By 1964 it was renamed as "River Queen" and moved to St. Louis (MO) and used as restaurant.
On the morning of 3 December 1967, the River Queen sank at her moorings.
Read more about it by Mark Kennedy at
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*link opens to external site that may not be accessible to non-subscribers.
Fowler Brothers Co.
701 Broad Street
Fowler Brothers Company began in 1885 by James G Sterchi. He started selling goods door to door out of a horse drawn buggy. He and is brother, John Calvin Sterchi, and his son in law, John O Fowler, opened Sterchi Brothers and Fowler, located in downtown Chattanooga, in 1911.
The first Chattanooga store was located next to the Tivoli Theatre at Seventh and Broad Streets.
SOURCE: ThePatioShop.com
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Army Day Parade, 1947
From 1929 until 1949, April 6th was celebrated as 'Army Day' - the anniversary date of the United States' entry into World War I.
Read more about it by Mark Kennedy at
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Furlow-Cate Ford
315 Broad Street
Before Forrest Cate Ford, there was Furlow Cate-Ford
Auto dealer ancestry...
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Loveman's 1960
A downtown building still bears the name of a retailer who served Chattanooga for over 113 years.
Read more about it by Mark Kennedy at
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Rogers Theater
919 Market Street
When it opened in 1951, it was promoted as “The South’s finest, ultra-modern motion picture theater."
The theater closed in 1976 and was demolished in 1980.
*link opens to external site that may not be accessible to non-subscribers.
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Chattanooga Free Press Archive FP-OCT1953_Goforth_img533
Have a Coke
An iconic look back from October, 1953. Do you recognize anyone in this photo?
Read more about it by Mark Kennedy at
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*link opens to external site that may not be accessible to non-subscribers.
UPDATE:
All 7 people identified.
- ■ Eugene Trotter, Esq.
- ■ Gail Williams Poe
- ■ Patsy Davenport Lemmons
- ■ Burlee Lackey Malone
- ■ Louise Moore Picklesimer
- ■ Margie Hatfield Harris
- ■ Ernest Bacon
Left to right:
Full story by Mark Kennedy at
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