Our Town: Chickamauga
CHICKAMAUGA, Ga. (WDEF) — This month’s Our Town highlights a little city about 20 minutes south of Chattanooga.
Chickamauga, Georgia is a town with a population of just about 3,000.
“It’s a very small town, but it’s a very active town,” said City Manager Micheal Haney. “So, we have a good community. We have a lively downtown. It’s a small downtown, but it’s a lively downtown.”
The locals say they enjoy the events the city holds throughout the year.
“A barbecue event, or Chilimauga, or closing down the streets and watching Hocus Pocus in the street… Santa Claus coming around at Christmas time… a really nice parade. We have such nice things for a small town,” said Jill Brooking, owner of Stories and Songs.
Recently in Chickamauga, The Shops of 1910 held its annual Jeep Fest, the Kensington Rodeo took place, and the national military park had its 160th anniversary of the Battle of Chickamauga.
Besides those events, there’s still plenty to do year-round.
“Our Gordon Lee Mansion: that’s one of our big spots. We also have the Coke Ovens in Chickamauga. And we have several people that stop in there. And of course, the Chickamauga National Battlefield is one of the biggest areas that receives tourism,” Haney added.
As for the Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park, “we’ll have a visitation of around 900,000… Between 900,000 and a million visitors a year,” Park Ranger Will Wilson said.
Even locals use the Battlefield for recreational activities.
“People use it to hike, and to walk and ride bicycles,” Wilson said.
Many use the space for horseback riding as well.
Chickamauga is also a stop for the Tennessee Valley Railroad. The ride is called the “Chickamauga Turn.” It makes a stop in the city and at Wilder Tower in the Battlefield.
“It’s really a nice place to be, to contemplate really what happened here 160 years ago,” Wilson explained.
Chickamauga is full of history. From the Native Americans to the Civil War, to the heritage of those that live there today. Some of that history can be seen at the Holland-Watson Veteran’s Memorial Park.
“1889 is the Blue and Gray BBQ, where these veterans gather for this reunion, about 14,000 of them. And that is when the idea of preserving these hallowed grounds really gets instituted,” Park Ranger Wilson said.
“There are lots of things to do historical wise, but there’s lots of other things we have, too,” Brooking said.
Take a stroll through the town and visit the shops.
“There’s so many talented people here,” Brooking added.
One store owner is an artist who has done work for Marvel. Stop by Studio AKO Art & Toys to see the works of Alex Ogle.
Booklovers from this area or just traveling through can book a stay at a themed Airbnb. Fablerealm has eight total themed Airbnb’s. Some of those include Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings and Indiana Jones themes.
All rooms also have scavenger hunts. The owners are also working on creating a new Airbnb, Studio Ghibli.
Brooking says that’s why her store, Stories and Songs, has a large Harry Potter selection. Guests can also stop by for vinyl music, books, coffee and snacks.
“You just really don’t know what you’re going to find in Chickamauga. It’s amazing,” Brooking concluded.
