A horse-drawn cart full of snow is being dumped in a sewer on Broad Street. | Photo via Chattanooga Public Library, Local History & Genealogy Department
Love it or hate it, snow is part of Chattanooga’s history. During the blizzard of 1993, our city got 20 inches of snow. In March of 1927, Chattanooga saw 11 inches of snow.
Numbers are great — but they only tell part of the story. How did Chattanoogans handle snow in the city? What did a snow day look like more than a century ago? For those answers, we turn to these historical photos.
1918 | Broad Street snow dump
The photo above shows two men dumping snow into a manhole, a common snow-removal method in the early 1900s. The approach wasn’t foolproof, since sewers needed enough water flow to carry the snow away — and that didn’t always happen.
The beloved Walnut Street Bridge was used by vehicles until 1978.
Photo via Chattanooga Public Library, Local History & Genealogy Department
1960 | Walnut Street Bridge
This photo shows James Templeton, Assistant Superintendent of the Public Works Department, washing snow off the Walnut Street Bridge. Three generations of the Templeton family worked for Chattanooga Public Works.
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Film
If “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” is on your watchlist this December, you’re in good company. The 1989 film is the most popular holiday film in Tennessee, per a new PixlParade report. Pro tip: Fuel your movie night with takeout from a new local restaurant.
Travel
The approaching New Year is a great time for a healthy dose of wanderlust. That’s what we’re doing with Condé Nast Traveler’s 26 hottest travel destinations for 2026. Whether you’re after natural wonder, buzzy cities, or a vibrant food scene, you’ll get there quicker by starting at the Chattanooga Airport.
Seasonal
It’s the most bun-derful time of the year. Google Trends data shows that December typically brings about an increased interest in baking at home. If you prefer your baked goodies made by an expert, there’s an abundance of excellent loaves around Chattanooga.
Try This
Looking to spruce up your Christmas tree this year? Here’s one idea: You could recreate some classic styles from the 1950s and 1960s to add some vintage flair to your living room. It could be tough to find some of this stuff — Chattanooga’s thrift stores might be able to help. (Country Living)
On December 15, 2001, the Leaning Tower of Pisa reopened after an ambitious 11-year project to reduce its tilt. Initially an architectural mishap, the tower is now one of the world’s most iconic landmarks, but Nooga’s got some pretty iconic landmarks of its own, too. (History.com)
Fact or Fiction
Infections in the mouth, including gum disease, can spread into other parts of your body. Think you know the answer? Find out.*
Jobs
“The process is super easy and far more cost-effective than using a recruiter.” That’s what one business owner said about hiring through our Job Board. See for yourself — post your open positions for free.
Finance
You’re smart — but your spending can still be dumb. These are the 11 dumbest things smart people waste money on.*
The Buy
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Noise above 85 decibels can damage your hearing. Which of these common sounds is above that threshold?
The correct answer is an electric drill, which makes a noise that’s around 95 decibels on average.
30% of readers got it right
32% guessed whistling kettle (~80 decibels)
22% guessed vacuum cleaner (60-80 decibels)
16% guessed coffee grinder (70-80 decibels)
When it comes to hearing damage, experts say it’s not just about how loud something is, but how long you’re exposed to the sound. Something to think about next time you’re standing next to the speaker at a rock concert.
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