8 Surprising Facts About Chattanooga

1. The Walnut Street Bridge is one of the longest pedestrian bridges in the world.

Spanning 1/2 mile, our walking bridge provides beautiful views of the Tennessee River, Downtown, and Chattanooga sunsets. It's also the oldest and largest surviving truss bridge in the South.

2. Chattanooga women are known for making history. 

Mary Hardaway Walker was the oldest student in the nation, learning to read and write at 116 years old! Dr. Mary Edwards Walker remains the nation's only female Medal of Honor recipient, caring for injured or dying soldiers through the Battles of Chickamauga and Chattanooga. 

We are also the home of the National Medal of Honor Heritage Center.

3. There's a reason we're called "Gig City".

Chattanooga Electric Power Board (EPB) made our city the first in the world with 1Gbps internet. 

4. We're the birthplace of the MoonPie and the tow truck. 

Created in 1917 at the Chattanooga Bakery, the MoonPie was very popular among local coal miners, and remain a staple snack around the U.S. 

Ernest Holmes Sr. created the first wrecker and lifting jib in the 1910s after struggling with six other men to pull a vehicle from a creek. We even have a Towing Museum highlighting the history! 

5. You can see seven states from atop Lookout Mountain.

Lookout Mountain stands at the southernmost end of the Cumberland Plateau, and on a clear day at 2,389 ft, you can see Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama, Kentucky, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Virginia.

6. The "Chattanooga Choo Choo" isn't just a song.

Inspired by the Glen Miller Orchestra's award-winning song, a group of investors turned the old Terminal Train Station into a bustling hotel and entertainment complex in 1973. A year later, the Terminal Station was added to the National Register of Historic Places. The lobby contains the largest freestanding brick dome in the world, with an interior height of 85 ft. The Choo Choo remains an iconic stop for locals and travelers alike.

7. We are a hub for both art and recreation.

The Hunter Museum, overlooking the Tennessee River, houses one of the largest collections of American art in the nation. We believe the views from the museum are also a masterpiece.

Our area also has over 25 miles of rock climbing (more than Boulder, CO) and endless hiking/biking trails!

8. Our Incline Railway is one of the steepest in the world.

Opened in 1895 and a mile long, the railway has a 72.7% grade. The ride lasts about 10 minutes each way, and you can see stunning views through the panoramic windows of the railcars.