Tag: History

Chattanooga, community, donate, Entertainment, Family, History, Trains, Uncategorized

Tennessee Tracks

Written by L’Nyah Mattress

Jason Fields, a trainman and railroad historian for the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum, talks about his love for trains and how he’s living out his childhood dreams.

Racing through the pitch black of the tunnel, dense clouds of steam funnel out the chimney and coal residue fills passengers’ airways as the whistle blares; here comes Southern Railway 4501 charging down the track. The massive steam locomotive is one of many engines in the care of the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum (TVRM).

Jason Fields, a qualified trainman for the TVRM, works to share his lifelong passion for trains and preserve train history in Chattanooga and for anyone who passes through. His position entails working in passenger train service as a historian who gives train tours—from sharing interesting facts to occasionally aiding engineers, he has experienced it all.

“I’ve been going there even before I was in Rail Camp when I was 13, so any chance I could’ve gotten to go out and get involved there, I took it,” said Fields.

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art, Chattanooga, History, Music, Photography, Trains, Uncategorized, UTC

A Tin Type of Man

Written by Taryn Brooks

Bill Steber, a Mississippi Blues photographer and one of the Hoodoo Men musicians, speaks about the value in analog art forms and revisiting the past through historical and modern perspectives.

The backdoor of a well-loved white van swings open with a squeak, revealing a fully functional darkroom that transforms tin plates into photographs. Upon closer look a collection of instruments inhabits the corners, mirroring how the two devotions appear in the life of photojournalist and musician Bill Steber. 

Steber describes his job title as a “chief cook and bottle washer at preserving the old weird America,” a culinary term meaning his responsibilities in his field rank from high to low and everywhere in between, illustrating the journey his professional career has taken. 

Along with strumming to an array of instruments and joining friend Sam Baker in the HooDoo men, Steber also spent 15 years as a photojournalist for the Tennessean and embarked on a documentary journey through the Mississippi’s Blues Trail. Photography and music have been life-long passions of Steber’s, both of which were born out of a love for illustrating modern times through a historical lens.

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Folklore, Music

The Frog Eats the Sun

Written by Olivia Smith

Joey Pierce, David A Dot, Bryan Barnes, and Daie Woodruff stand in line waiting to be judged in a dance competition at the Yellowhorse Native American Pow Wow. Saturday April 6, 2024 (Photo by Alex Newton)

As the moon covers the sun and the world goes dark and quiet for a few minutes, most people stand in awe. Silence overwhelmed the world as a partial solar eclipse on April, 8th 2024 lasted two hours in Chattanooga, TN.

All around the world cultures tell folklore stories from the beginning of times, before written words surround everyday life, storytellers were the way of knowing history. 

“Nvdo walosi ugi” which translates to “the frog eats the sun” is a folk tale told throughout the Cherokee Nation. The Cherokee people can be heard pounding drums, yelling, and even shooting guns into the sky to scare the mythical gigantic frog from eating the sun during the eclipse.  

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Chattanooga, Chattanooga outreach, community, Environment, History, outdoors, teachers

Ecliptic Education

Written by Taylor McKinley

Courtney Lewis, activity director for the Chattanooga Public Library, discusses what an eclipse is and why it is important for people to learn about it.

As the moon intercepts perfectly between the earth and the sun, casting a shadow, a solar eclipse brings individuals from all walks of life together, all pausing to gaze upward and witness history.

Over 200 patrons gathered around the Chattanooga Public Library on April 8, 2024 starting around 2:30 P.M. to witness the rare solar eclipse through Oreos, protective glasses and interactive games. 

“For this eclipse we really made sure that people know that they can get glasses here,” Courtney Lewis, Chattanooga Public Library activities director, said. “That we are going to be celebrating with them, so there are going to be a lot more people that have a central place where they can come do fun things and experience it in a safe place. “ 

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Chattanooga, Chattanooga outreach, community, Family, Healing, History, Military

Honored Heritage

Written by Maleah Holder

Video by Caleb McCool
Director of Operations Steven Thomas of the Medal of Honor Heritage Center discusses the significance of the center and its location in Chattanooga. Education is the main focus of the center, ensuring that the sacrifice of the numerous Medal of Honor recipients is remembered and honored by students and the community.

As the most recent recipient of the Medal of Honor, Captain Larry Taylor sheds light on a long born legacy of honored recipients in Chattanooga who are remembered in the National Medal of Honor Heritage Center.

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Chattanooga, Chattanooga outreach, community, Family, History, Military, Philanthropy

Uncle Doss’ Legacy

Written by Bethany Cothran

Desmond Doss, the first conscientious objector to receive the Medal of Honor, continued to serve people following his return home. Through the process of building Lookout Mountain Seventh Day Adventist from scratch, Doss was there to lend a helping hand every step of the way.

Eighteen miles south of the museum housing Desmond Doss’ Medal of Honor, his legacy lives on in Georgia’s northern hills. There, Doss’ homegrown church still stands. 

Raised down the road from the Dosses in Rising Fawn, Georgia, Glenn Burchard remembers Doss from the time he was three years old and called him Uncle Desmond. With his birthday a day after Doss’, Burchard recalled years sharing his birthday celebrations with Doss and learning how to tie a knot resembling the one that helped Doss receive his Medal of Honor.

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Chattanooga, Chattanooga outreach, community, Family, Healing, History, Military

The Road to the Medal

Written by Caroline Colvin

Video by Taylor Carmody
Mike Holden recounted the heroic acts that lead Vietnam veteran, Captain Larry Taylor, to receiving the Medal of Honor. Holden was a good friend of Taylor, being heavily involved in the process to get Taylor nominated. 

Editor’s Note: We would like to honor Mike Holden for his consideration, time, and help with this story. Mr. Holden passed away on Oct. 10, 2023, a few days after the initial publishing of this story.

Clinging on a helicopter’s rocket pod, unsure of the outcome of the ongoing maneuver, Sergeant Dave Hill trusted Captain Larry Taylor with his life on June 18, 1968. Hill put years of work into telling the story of that day, eventually leading him to the White House to witness Larry Taylor’s Medal of Honor ceremony on Sept. 5, 2023. 

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art, Chattanooga, community, Daily Life, Entertainment, Family, History, outdoors

What Goes Around: The Coolidge Park Carousel

Written by Caroline Colvin

The Coolidge Park Carousel makes rounds with its 52 hand-carved animals daily. Monday, April 17, 2023. (Photo by Caroline Colvin)

Settled in the heart of Chattanooga’s Northshore neighborhood is Coolidge Park’s antique carousel. For $1, those of all ages can ride the carousel, taking in its unique design. 

The carousel’s journey to Coolidge park began in Pennsylvania where it was constructed in 1894. Shortly after, it was transported to New York state. Many years later, following an unclear path of transportation, the carousel pieces were brought to Chattanooga by Bud Ellis to be restored. 

The Coolidge carousel is a Dentzel model, thus it follows much of the vintage designs of the famous German carousel builder, Gustav Dentzel. 

Bud Ellis was the owner of Chattanooga’s Horsin’ Around woodcarving school, which is now owned and operated by Larry Ridge. Ridge carves many animals himself, and also has a team and students that he teaches at the school. 

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Chattanooga, community, Entertainment, Halloween, History, UTC

Ghost Tracks

Written by Sarah Chesek

Filmed by Allie English and Taylor Carmody. Edited by Allie English and Taylor Carmody. Narration by Noah Fernandez.

On an unsettling pursuit for the supernatural, guests of Chattanooga’s Ghost Tours are provided all the necessary ghost hunting equipment for a chilling haunt. Parapsychological Field investigator Alice Stephens educates their visitors on Chattanooga’s rich and eerie history while providing an interactive spiritual experience. 

“I’m kind of a skeptical believer. So I believe in it, obviously [otherwise], I wouldn’t be doing it, but, I’m always like, was that a ghost? Did I actually see that, so I questioned myself too,” stated Stephens.

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Chattanooga, community, Daily Life, Entertainment, History

Tiny Trains

Written By Mason Edwards

Video By Jules Jackson and Seth Carpenter.

For kids, adults and seniors alike, there’s no substitute for the wonder and delight of winding through a model railroad’s path of track and town. The Tennessee Valley Model Railroaders, inc., (TVMRi) hand-painted eight real settlements along their custom-made track, which runs passengers and cargo from the rolling hills of eastern Kentucky to its riverside stop near Lookout Mountain. 

The group’s president, Nick Giordano, personally connected miles of wires and assembled dozens of houses. 

“Well, like most kids, as a little boy I was into model trains,” Giordano joked. “And then you get a little older, and you discover girls and cars and model trains go away.”

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