The History Behind the Circle
The sculpture perched just across from our patio was created by Charles Pilkey to represent the rich history and diversity of our quaint St. Elmo neighborhood.
Here’s a deeper dive into what the 37 figures represent:
Nature:
Nestled at the foot of Lookout Mountain, just south of downtown Chattanooga, St. Elmo is rich in natural beauty. From vegetation to wildlife, the area is filled with natural charm and a favorite among outdoor enthusiasts.
A Conquistador:
After landing in Florida in May 1539, Conquistador and Governor Hernando de Soto began traveling north through the Carolinas, Georgia, Alabama and Tennessee on a search for gold and other treasures. While traversing the area, Soto met and befriended Coosa, chief over 400 miles of land and nearly 50,000 inhabitants.
French Fur Trader:
Early European explorers introduced the gun to Native American people, thus developing the fur trade. Native peoples traded deer and beaver hides in exchange for guns, rum and manufactured goods with the French and British. The lucrative trade wiped out much of the area’s wildlife.
The American Cherokee War:
Also known as the Chickamauga Wars, numerous campaigns and battles were fought between the Cherokee and American settlers from 1776 to 1794. The events concluded with the settlement of former Indian territory, including the areas on the southern banks of the Tennessee River.
John Ross & Cherokee Chief:
Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation from 1828 to 1866, John Ross was of Scottish and Cherokee descent. He was appointed a US Indian agent in 1811 and served as adjutant of a Cherokee regiment under control of Andrew Jackson. Following the Red Stick War (Cherokee Civil War), Ross built a trading post and warehouse on the Tennessee River and operated a ferry service, carrying passengers from the Cherokee Nation on the south side of the river to the USA on the north bank.
From his first trip to Washington, DC in 1816 to his death there in 1866, Ross spent his life negotiating issues of national boundaries, land ownership and white encroachment. He served as a Cherokee delegate, National Council member, and Principal Chief.
The Trail of Tears:
The Trail of Tears refers to the removal of the 15,000 members of the Cherokee nation from their lands in North Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee and Alabama to eastern Oklahoma during the winter of 1838- 1839. The route began in Chattanooga and traveled westward towards the Ohio River.
Slavery:
Chattanooga was a crossroad for slave trade between the Upper South and Deep South from 1800- 1860. The area’s rail lines, and Browns Ferry Federal Road Trace helped to facilitate the trade of over one million enslaved African Americans.
The Civil War, American Soldier & Civil War Veteran:
The Battles for Chattanooga in November 1863 were fought following the Confederate victory in nearby Chickamauga. The Battle of Chattanooga at Orchard Knob and Battle Above the Clouds on Lookout Mountain were important Union victories, ultimately leading to the Battle of Missionary Ridge which pushed back the Confederacy and paved the way for Sherman’s March on Atlanta.
St. Elmo, a novel, by Augusta Jane Evans:
The name for the quaint neighborhood nestled at the foot of the mountain came from the title of Augusta J. Evans Wilson’s novel, St. Elmo. Evans was a friend of Thankful Johnson and reportedly spent time in the area and attributed the views to that of the St. Elmo Castle in Naples. The 1866 novel became one of the top three novels of the century.
Abraham and Thankful Johnson:
Considered the founders of St. Elmo, Abraham and Thankful Johnson acquired the land at the foot of Lookout Mountain and built a home on Alabama Avenue. In addition to being an instrumental in the development of Tennessee American Water and Chattanooga Medicine Co. (Chattem), he financially backed the development of The Chattanooga- St. Elmo Street Railroad Co. that connected the quaint neighborhood to the city.
Robert Scholze Tannery:
Chattanooga was once known as the “saddle capital of the world,” with Scholze Tannery at the center of the designation. An important part of the post-Civil War industrialization, the tannery operated from 1873 to 2001 off South Broad Street near the Chickamauga Creek. Robert Scholze, a German immigrant purchased Chattanooga Leather Manufacturing Co. then opened Southern Saddlery in 1876 to manufacture horse riding products.
Newspaper classified ads from 1968 offered $1.60 an hour for entry-level positions at Scholze Tannery. When adjusted for inflation that equates to $12 an hour, the highest minimum wage in US history according to the Chicago Tribune.
The Yellow Fever Epidemic:
In 1878, the Yellow Fever Epidemic led to the flight of many city dwellers. Of the 12,000 Chattanooga residents, reportedly 10,000 fled to Lookout Mountain believing the mountain climate provided immunity from disease. This belief proved untrue as 366 people died in two months from Yellow Fever.
Wheland Foundry:
In operation from 1874 to 2003, Wheland Foundry built gritst mills, sawmills, cane mills and water wheels before expanding operations to include gun manufacturing, brake drums and automotive castings.
Located off South Broad Street, the foundry gave rise to nearby neighborhoods and facilitated the connection between Lookout Mountain and Chattanooga.
US Pipe:
Pennsylvania iron workers, David Giles and Caleb B. Isbester, established Chattanooga Pipe and Foundry Works in 1877. Located on Whiteside Street, adjacent to the rail yard, the plant was recognized as one of the nation’s finest iron fabricators. At more than 150 employees, with more than two-thirds African Americans, US Pipe was one of the cities largest employers.
The manufacturer consolidated with other regional fabricators in 1899, forming the United States Cast Iron Pipe and Foundry Co and later moved operations to Moccasin Bend.
A Railway Conductor:
Arguably the most iconic feature of St. Elmo is the Incline Railway. Opening in 1887 the rail ran from 38th Street to just below the Point on Lookout Mountain. With a 72.7% grade near the top, this is one of the steepest passenger railways in the world.
W.B. Lewis, African American Blacksmith:
Born in 1815 to Col. James Lewis and a black slave, Will Lewis lived on the Lewis Farm in middle Tennessee. While a slave, Lewis moved to Chattanooga where he began working for his freedom as a blacksmith. A talented blacksmith, he opened his own shop on Market Street and was able earn the thousand dollars to secure his liberty from his father. He later purchased his wife’s freedom for the same price before buying his son Eldridge G. Lewis, for $400, his mother and aunt for $150 each, two brothers for $1,000 each and his sister for $400.
Chattem:
Founded in 1879 as the Chattanooga Medicine Company, Chattem Chemicals began manufacturing Thedford’s Black Draught laxative on an unpaved Market Street in downtown Chattanooga. Over the century they have increased product manufacturing to include active pharmaceutical ingredients, catalysts, surfactants and performance additives.
Located just blocks from 1885 Grill, Chattem Chemicals is licensed to manufacture schedule 1-5 controlled substances including: Fentanyl, Methylphenidate HCL, Methylphenidate Base, DMF and Benzphetamine.
Flood of 1917:
While it wasn’t the costliest flood in Chattanooga’s history, the 1917 flood has been heavily depicted and influential in damming the Tennessee River. The flood of 1917 saw 47 feet of water and submerged entire neighborhoods, limiting travel to boats and temporary causeways. The New York Times featured the headline “7,000 Left Homeless by Tennessee Flood.”
Double Cola:
Founded in 1922 by Charles Little and Joe S. Foster, Double Cola developed several sodas and underwent as many name changes before perfecting and marketing 12 oz. bottles of their namesake beverage. In 1958, the company trademarked the SKI beverage and continues to grow the product offerings through the addition Caffeine Free, Caffeine Free Diet, Tropical and Blood Orange SKI. Since 1999, the corporate headquarters for The Double Cola Company has been on Market Street.
Reggie White:
A graduate of Howard High School, Reggie White played football for the University of Tennessee where he was recognized as an All-American. Following college, White played two seasons for the USFL Memphis Showboats and was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles in the 1984 Supplemental Draft. Additionally, he played for the Green Bay Packers and Carolina Panthers and was one of the most awarded defensive players in the NFL.
White was a two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year, Super Bowl XXXI champion, 13-time Pro- Bowl and a member of the College Football Hall of Fame and Pro Football Hall of Fame.
The St. Elmo Corgi Parade:
The Corgi Parade has been an annual favorite since its inception in 1999 by Bob Wright. Now held each October in conjunction with St. Elmo Night Out, the parade has become a staple for Corgis and dogs alike to strut their stuff.
We hope you enjoy the rich history and scenic beauty St. Elmo has to offer.