Southside Historic District in Chattanooga in Hamilton County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)
Center of Fort Phelps
Image courtesy of the Historical Marker Database
1. Center of Fort Phelps Marker
120 Yards South
(Marker Number MT-60A.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil.
Location. Marker is missing. It was located near 35° 2.131′ N, 85° 18.354′ W. Marker was in Chattanooga, Tennessee, in Hamilton County. It was in the Southside Historic District. It was at the intersection of Main Street (U.S. 41) and Mitchell Street, on the right when traveling east on Main Street. Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: Chattanooga TN 37408, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker was in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, in Appalachia, and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it was in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it found itself in what was once the original Cherokee Nation, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location: Dedication of Rose Garden to all Veterans (about 600 feet away); The Chattanooga Choo-Choo (about 600 feet away); a different marker also named Chattanooga Choo-Choo (about 600 feet away); The Chattanooga Choo-Choo Hotel (about 700 feet away); Chattanooga's Railroads (about 700 feet away); Chattanooga, a City of Historical Significance (about 800 feet away); Military History of Chattanooga (about 800 feet away); Terminal Station (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chattanooga.
Other markers no longer nearby. Center of Fort Phelps (was about
this page online
More about this marker. According to the description information provided by the National Park Service, the marker is a, "Cast iron tablet in stone wall southeast corner of Main & Mitchell Streets."
Regarding Center of Fort Phelps. With much help from Suzette Raney of the Local History and Genealogy Department of the Chattanooga Public Library, I have been able to put together some background information on these bronze and/or iron, Civil War related, tablets placed throughout the city of Chattanooga.
According to a newspaper article published in the Chattanooga Times on, December 1, 1893, there was a committee appointed from the chamber of commerce to identify historical points in connection with the occupancy of Chattanooga by Federal and Confederate troops. These points were to later be marked by a bronze tablet bearing a description of the event which transpired at that point. According to a Battlefield Guide, published in 1897 by the Chattanooga Chamber of Commerce, “For the 20th reunion of the Society of the Army of the Cumberland, September 18-20, 1889, the publisher of the Guide compiled
Photographed by Dale K. Benington, August 11, 2019
2. Center of Fort Phelps Marker
View of the southeast corner of the intersection, the site of the missing marker.
Additional commentary.
1. Inclusion in the Historical Marker Database
This marker is deemed eligible for inclusion in the Historical Marker Database under the clause for allowable exceptions to the Editorial Guidelines when the marker's inclusion is "adding to a series of bona fide historical markers with one that would otherwise not qualify." This marker is part of the National Park Service's series of MT-numbered markers that are found in the areas of Civil War military operations that are situated in, and around, the Chattanooga - Chickamauga Battlefield, National Military Parks. Therefore, this marker was added to complete a commonly used list of such markers, rendering this marker in compliance with stated Historical Marker Database editorial guidelines.
— Submitted August 29, 2019, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio.
Photographed by Dale K. Benington, August 11, 2019
3. Center of Fort Phelps Marker
Distant view of the site of the missing marker, looking across the intersection towards the southeast corner.
Photographed by Dale K. Benington, August 11, 2019
4. Center of Fort Phelps Marker
View of the site of the missing marker, looking east along Main Street.
Photographed by Dale K. Benington, August 11, 2019
5. Center of Fort Phelps Marker
View of the site of the missing marker, looking south along Mitchell Street.
Image courtesy of the National Park Service., July 12, 2017
6. "MT-numbered” listings
View of page 60A from the National Park Services record book on the Chattanooga - Chickamauga ”MT-numbered” listings of classified structures, which is kept in the Chickamauga Battlefield Park's Visitor Center.
Image courtesy of the Chattanooga Public Library.
7. Tablet Related Newspaper Article
View of a tablet related newspaper article published in the Chattanooga Times on, December 1, 1893.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 29, 2019, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio. This page has been viewed 341 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on August 29, 2019, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio.
