02.27.2024

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Today’s Forecast

74º | 55% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 7:13 a.m. | Sunset 6:34 p.m.

Shaping the city’s architectural footprint

Chattanooga’s history: 3 Black residents who helped shape the city’s architectural footprint

Historical photo of the Market Street Bridge from a newspaper clipping

Learn a bit about the residents that shaped some of Chattanooga’s buildings + structures. | Historical archive provided by Chattanooga Public Library

Editor Haley here. I recently took a trip to the Chattanooga Public Library’s Local History and Genealogy department to uncover some unique stories within its “Black residents” archives.

Let me share with you the stories of three folks who played a role in shaping some of Chattanooga’s well-known landmarks + buildings.

James Chandler

James Chandler (whose last newspaper clipping shows him at the age of 102) was born in Richmond, VA before coming to Chattanooga in 1880 when he was eight so his father could help on the first railroad for Chattanooga.

When Chandler first came to the city, there wasn’t a bridge to cross the river — residents had to rely on a ferry service. In his adulthood, Chandler worked for the Southern Railway Co. and built some of Chattanooga’s staples.

Market Street Bridge | Originally called the John Ross Bridge, Chandler dug the first concrete tier himself, helping construct the “third largest of type in the world” that opened in 1917.
Chickamauga Dam | He used an air drill 37 feet below the base of the river when the 5,800-ft dam was being built from 1936-1940.

Additionally, Chandler worked on the McCallie Tunnels + East Third Street bridge. He was also the first Black man in Chattanooga to own an automobile and have electricity in his home.

“When I came to Chattanooga the city limits were at Central Avenue. There were lots of woods, with deer and bear, all around town.” — James Chandler

J.B. Ghiden

J.B. Ghiden (who has one news clipping as he celebrated his 94th birthday) was born in Rockmart, GA in 1877 before moving with his family to Chattanooga four years later. During his ~90 years in the city, Ghiden not only saw the area transform, but helped build our historical buildings with his own hands.

Ghiden was a self-employed master stone-cutter, rock + concrete mason, and home builder. See if you recognize any of the buildings he’s worked on below.

Ghiden's work + meet Genell Anderson

Events

Tuesday, Feb. 27

Beginner Myofascial Release: Self-Massage for Pain Relief | Tuesday, Feb. 27 | 6-7:15 p.m. | Primastrong, 2310 Vance Ave., Chattanooga | $20 | Learn the ins and outs of the soft tissues known as fascia to relieve chronic pain with self-massage.
Marc Broussard | Tuesday, Feb. 27 | 7:30 p.m. | Walker Theatre, 399 McCallie Ave., Chattanooga | $43.55-$48.70 | Celebrate the 20th anniversary of this singer-songwriter’s “Carencro” album as he hits the stage in the Scenic City.

Wednesday, Feb. 28

Mixology 101: Whiskey | Wednesday, Feb. 28 | 6-7:30 p.m. | The Chattery, 1800 Rossville Ave., Chattanooga | $35 | Try three types of whiskey to craft two cocktails and a recipe card to take home.

Thursday, Feb. 29

Exhibit First Look | Thursday, Feb. 29 | 5:30-8 p.m. | Tennessee Aquarium, 1 Broad St., Chattanooga | $30-$50 | Hear from Joel Sartore, the award-winning photographer and founder of the National Geographic Photo Ark + see the exhibit before it opens to the public.
The Black Experience: A Kickback | Thursday, Feb. 29 | 6-9 p.m. | The Chattery, 1800 Rossville Ave., Chattanooga | Free, RSVP | Stop in for a night of music, games, and celebrating the Black experience.

Friday, March 1

“Legally Blonde: The Musical” | Friday, March 1-Sunday, March 3 | Times vary | Chattanooga State, 4501 Amnicola Hwy., Chattanooga | $0-$15 | Bend and snap your way over to this local production of the award-winning musical based on the 2001 movie.

Events calendar here

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Asked

What mood would be on Chattanooga’s daylist?

A. Energetic morning jazz cycling along the Riverwalk
B. Indie adventuring through the woods
C. Hot girl EDM walkin’
D. Happy folk mountain singing

Vote your favorite

News Notes

Outdoors

The Chattanooga Parks and Outdoors Department announced that its reservation system will be down until next week while transitioning to a “new and improved” system. In the meantime, if folks have any questions about reservations, they can inquire via email.

Announced

The Chattanooga River Market will return for its 2024 season at the Tennessee Aquarium Plaza on Saturday, March 9 + Sunday, March 10. You can shop from local artists, crafters, and food artisans while enjoying various forms of entertainment.

Community

The Main St. Farmers Market is now accepting applications for its 2024 year-round membership. Those interested in being a vendor can apply by Sunday, March 10. Note: The market will prioritize high-volume local produce, egg, chicken, and bison farmers.

Job

Goodwill Industries of the Greater Chattanooga Area will host a resource fair on Wednesday, March 6 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Community members can head to the Opportunity Center-East Brainerd location to be connected with resources “needed to help maintain self-sufficiency.” RSVP.

Sports

The Chattanooga Public Library will offer CFC home match tickets for free through its family pass program. Anyone with a valid library card can check out a pass (redeemable for up to two adult tickets + four child tickets) at any library location on a first come, first serve basis.

Cause

Ruby Falls will launch its 7th annual 100 Million Steps in March initiative beginning Friday, March 1. The campaign challenges guests + staff members to walk a collective one million steps within the park’s grounds to promote the benefits of exercising for heart health.

Arts

ICA Chattanooga + UTC will bring artist Adam Parker Smith to the Scenic City on Wednesday, March 5 to discuss his “Sarcophagi” series. The talk will begin at 5:30 p.m. at the Benwood Auditorium and is free and open to the public to attend.

Edu

Hamilton County Schools has named Kimberly Pringle as its new director of early learning. Pringle, who currently serves as the principal at Snow Hill Elementary School, will begin her new duties enhancing Pre-K opportunities + preparing young students on Monday, June 24. (Chattanoogan.com)

Fact or Fiction

Washing clothes in cold water is friendly on your wallet — fact or fiction? See the answer.*

Wellness

ICYMI, our latest edition of NOOGA Wellness in partnership with Erlanger features: health trends that are actually worth trying, a new fresh-mex restaurant, the dangers of a “silent” heart attack + more. Subscribe (and never miss an issue).*

Read

Love to read in bed? Us, too. Some helpful tools we love: a rechargeable book light to clip on books or a remote control page turner for Kindle readers.*

Arts

Culture

Take the party to the Hunter Underground

Three ladies in futuristic cocktail dresses (pink, blue, and orange) in front of a balloon display.

Let’s take this party “underground,” shall we? | Photo by Taylor English via Hunter Museum of American Art

The Hunter Museum of American Art is taking folks through the “Portals of Possibility” during this year’s Hunter Underground fundraising event on Friday, March 1.

Starting at 8 p.m., partygoers will see the museum transform into a new world, all inspired by its latest exhibition “Networked Nature” — showcasing patterns of life through advanced technologies. The night will be as interconnected as the exhibit with:

Light installations by Justin Casey of Helm Projects + digital media by Lucy Allen of Super Regular Studios
Open bar + light food
Silent auction on local + regional artwork
Costume contest — think: mixed organic shapes, futuristic textures, digital hues, etc.
Blowout dance party

You might also want to keep an eye out for the several “Art Heist Gallery” ticket holders who will charge into the gallery every 30 minutes to claim a piece of donated art with the use of a flashlight.

Step into the ticket portal

The Buy

The Buy 2.27.24 (Affiliate + Six & Main)

Something from Six & Main’s Brands That Give Back collection, so you can shop your favorite coffee, jewelry, cards, and tees all while knowing you’re supporting brands that make a difference. Causes include: animal rescue groups, local water based incentives, and national parks.

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Haley

From the editor

I loved diving into a part of Chattanooga’s history for today’s edition, but definitely wouldn’t have been able to do it as easily without the (free) resources of the Chattanooga Public Library. A little shout out to the gals from the Local History and Genealogy department who helped me with this piece.

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