Not quite 221B Baker Street, but it’ll do

Chattanooga’s Little Mysteries: 1601 Williams St.

a white brick building with a stained glass window and ivy covering part of the front walkway.

We’ve been curious about this beautiful building for years. | Photo by NOOGAtoday

Every city has its own, what we like to call, “little mysteries.” Unlike major mysterious happenings that most people around town are aware of — Underground Chattanooga, for example — little mysteries aren’t quite as flashy, but are interesting just the same.

Today, we’re putting on our Sherlock caps (and asking you to become our Watson) to try and begin solving some of these questions in a new series we’re calling “Chattanooga’s Little Mysteries.”

The case

Located at 1601 Williams St. is what looks to be a beautiful church — but is that really what it is?

We recently stopped by to see if we could get inside (or even get a peek), but the doors were locked + the view into the space was blocked by another set of double doors. We also asked a kind citizen who lived next door if he was aware of what or who occupied the building, but to no avail.

The clues

According to the Yellow Pages, the answer is yes, it is a church — well, maybe. It states that the property is home to Alleyne Memorial AME Zion Church. When we called the number listed, however, we received the “disconnected/no longer in service” message.

Even more curious? Both Trulia + Zillow have it listed as an off-market “single-family home” with zero bedrooms and three bathrooms.

No, there aren’t any signs attached to or beside the building, but it does look well-maintained, at least from the outside.

The theory

Our best guess? Perhaps the beautiful building was once a church, but now serves as a family’s home or a business office space.

The ask

Here’s where you come in — do you have information on what the building is? Its history? Who built it, and for what purpose? Let us know so we can piece this little mystery together, together.

Which Little Mystery should we explore next?

A. Mural on the side of the old Classic Coin & Jewelry building downtown
B. The downtown duck
C. Other (type answer)

CHOOSING? ELEMENTARY, MY DEAR WATSON

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Today

Learn to Ride a Bicycle Class | Mon., Oct. 10 | 4-5:30 p.m. | Outdoor Chattanooga, 200 River St., Chattanooga | Free, RSVP | League of American Bicyclists’ instructors will teach you how to ride a bike using the gliding technique in this class. 🚲

Tuesday

Cake Decorating 101 | Tue., Oct. 11 | 6-8 p.m. | The Chattery, 1800 Rossville Ave. Ste. 108, Chattanooga | $65.00 | Join this class all about the basics of cake decorating. 🎂
Tuesday Matinees | Tue., Oct. 11 | 2-4:30 p.m. | Downtown Library, 1001 Broad St., Chattanooga | Free | Enjoy free popcorn and a screening of the film “Arrival.”

Wednesday

Chattanooga Hip-Hop Summit 2022 | Wed., Oct. 12-Sat., Oct. 15 | Various times | Bessie Smith Cultural Center, 200 E. MLK Blvd., Chattanooga | Free+, RSVP | This summit is focused on the hip-hop industry and how to find success in the genre.

Thursday

Chattanooga Bacon & Barrel Festival | Thu., Oct. 13 | 6-9 p.m. | First Horizon Pavilion, 1826 Reggie White Blvd., Chattanooga | $44.00 | Celebrate two commonly appreciated southern traditions — hearty food + distilled spirits. 🥓
Free Family Fun Night | Thu., Oct. 13 | 5:30-8 p.m. | Creative Discovery Museum, 321 Chestnut St., Chattanooga | Free, RSVP | Enjoy a free night at the museum after hours.

Plan Ahead

Will This Float? | Mon., Oct. 17 | 5:30 p.m. | Waterhouse Pavilion, 850 Market St., Chattanooga | Free | High school + adult entrepreneurs are invited to compete in the Company Lab and Double Cola Co.’s annual pitch competition for a chance to win $5,000, quarterly consulting services + more.*
Fifth Annual Idea Leap Grant events | Tue., Oct. 18 | 11:30 a.m.-8:30 p.m. | Bessie Smith Cultural Center, 200 E. MLK Blvd., Chattanooga | Free | TVFCU is hosting the first-ever Idea Leap Luncheon at 11:30 a.m. The festivities continue with the Chambliss Startup Social at 5 p.m. followed by the pitch competition at 6:15 p.m. RSVP is required.*

We have a monthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

100+ MORE EVENTS

100 years of the Double Cola Company in NOOGA 🥤

Do you know the 100 years of history behind Chattanooga’s Double Cola Company?

Presented by a NOOGAtoday Partner

The Double Cola Company received its name from being twice the size of other soda products at the time. | Photo provided by the Double Cola Company

Sip, sip, hooray. Chattanooga’s very own Double Cola Company is celebrating 100 years of serving delicious drinks worldwide + being a friend to our community. 🎉

The Double Cola Company is a family-owned drink company that produces high-quality bevs with unique flavors, from the JUMBO sodas you grew up with to its newer BREWSKI line — a beautiful combo of beer + SKI Citrus Soda.

But do you know all the milestones of this iconic, locally-based brand?

1922: Charles D. Little + Joe S. Foster establish Good Grape Company featuring their newly developed grape soda.
1924: They create a new soda called Marvel Cola.
1933: The cola formula is perfected and named Double Cola.
1953: Aptly, the company changes its name to Double-Cola Company.
1956: SKI is formulated, and then trademarked in 1958.
1997: Alnoor Dhanani becomes President and remains as CEO to this day.
1999: Corporate headquarters move to Market Street in downtown Chattanooga.
2021: BREWSKI is launched as a series of shandy style beers.*

HOW DOUBLE COLA GIVES BACK TO NOOGA

Weather

73º | Sunny | 2% chance of rain ☀️

Transit

Extensive repairs to the Walnut Street Bridge are planned for 2023. The Chattanooga Department of Public Works will announce the plans for renovations + exact closure dates in the coming months, according to confirmation by the city’s Senior Advisor for Communication and Digital Strategy, Kirsten Yates. 🚧
The new I-24 off-ramp to South Broad Street is now open. According to TDOT, the existing exit to Broad Street from southbound US Highway 27 is closed + a new traffic pattern will be implemented at Exit 178 on I-24 east. (Chattanooga Times Free Press)

Announced

President Joe Biden has appointed former Chattanooga Mayor Andy Berke to serve as the administrator of the Rural Utilities Service in the US Department of Agriculture. In this role, Berke will help provide needed infrastructure + improvements in rural communities.

Development

An Atlanta-based developer is eyeing a parking lot currently owned by Unum for a “mixed-use village” complete with townhomes, condos, and cottages. The potential space would offer ~140 residential units on Vine Street in downtown Chattanooga. (Chattanooga Times Free Press)

Legacy

The Brainerd Community Center will be renamed to honor the legacy of the late Chris L. Ramsey Sr. A ceremony will take place on Tues., Oct. 11 at 11 a.m. to pay tribute to Ramsey’s “… service, commitment, and passion for making Chattanooga a better place.”

Community

Southern Soul Pride Yoga, a completely free 90-minute yoga class continuing Tennessee Pride Month celebrations, will be on Thurs., Oct. 13. This community building event at Common House is open to members + non-members (non-members will need to create a guest account to RSVP). 🌈

Edu

Hamilton County Schools recently celebrated the opening of the Novonix Institute of Advanced Battery Technology. The program will have a “highly specialized curriculum” where students will receive in-lab training, safety tutorials, and job shadowing opportunities with Novonix employees. (Chattanooga Times Free Press)

Cause

The Austin Hatcher Foundation for Pediatric Cancer will commemorate 15 years of service at its Celebration of Life and Hope gala-style event on Sat., Oct. 22. Live + silent auctions, music, food, drinks, and more will fill the evening — funds raised will benefit the foundation.

Today Is

Indigenous Peoples Day, honoring the contributions + culture of America’s native peoples. Explore some of Chattanooga’s rich Native American history at places like The Passage, Audubon Acres, and Red Clay Historic Park.
World Mental Health Day — a day created in 1992 by the World Federation for Mental Health. Acknowledging this day can be as simple as taking several deep, grounding breaths or phoning a friend. If you’re looking for local resources, you can find them here, provided by the National Alliance on Mental Illness.

Festival

Engines ready, car lovers. The Chattanooga Motorcar Festival returns Fri., Oct 14-Sun., Oct. 16, ft. races, judged competitions, vintage + rare car close-ups, a Family Fun Zone, food trucks, and more. 🏎️ *

Learn

Become bilingual — but make the learning process fun. Babbel’s bite-size, 10-minute lessons are designed to fit into your busy life, helping you learn a new language in as little as three weeks. Pro tip: Get 55% off your subscription for a limited time. 🗺️ *

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We love decor, that’s for sure

Chattanooga’s best Halloween decorations

a business with a large skeleton in the foreground and spider webs hanging on the building. A witch appears flying on a broom atop the building.

TEMPORARY PHOTO | Photo by NOOGAtoday

We’re on the hunt for the most eerie-sistible Halloween decorations in Chattanooga, and we want your help.

Have a neighbor who ghouls all out each year? Know that your favorite business always looks fa-boo-lous this time of year? Heck, maybe you put cobwebs in your yard the minute the clock struck “October.”

Send us your favorite local Halloween decorations around town so we can spread the spooky fun — we’ll go first. Pictured above is Webb Family Orthodontics + Splash Smikes on Hixson Pike, which always go all out for Halloween. Don’t miss the witch on top of the building.

THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Brianna.

Editor’s pick: Last week, I mentioned in The Wrap that Chris and I would embark on our annual Fall Day adventure over the weekend. We had a blast heading up to Fall Creek Falls, grabbing our pumpkins + mums, and eating chili at night.

Missed Friday’s newsletter? See what’s recently opened in the Scenic City.

Connect with us.

Editorial: Brianna Williams, Kristen Templeton, Dayten Rose, Josh Kranzberg, Ashlea Hearn, Emily Shea | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

Sales: Sarah Edwards | Advertise with us.

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