Near Chattanooga in Hamilton County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)
Incline Number One
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, May 17, 2020
1. Incline Number One Marker
This railroad bed is all that remains of the first incline up Lookout Mountain.
Incline Number One, as it was known, was built in the mid-1880s. It began at the foot of the mountain near the present incline, and ran upward to the foot of the large rock formation at the top, northern-most end of Lookout Mountain. There it connected with a narrow gauge railroad which continued for a short distance along the base of the mountain bluff. The narrow gauge railroad was later electrified and extended to connect with the present Incline Number Two, which was built in 1895.
The first incline was initially used to haul, from the base of the mountain to the point, materials used in the building of the Point Hotel. In the early part of this century Incline Number One and the Point Hotel fell into disuse. The tracks were taken up and the hotel destroyed.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Railroads & Streetcars.
Location. 35° 0.582′ N, 85° 20.403′ W. Marker is near Chattanooga, Tennessee, in Hamilton County. It is on Shingle Road 0.1 miles north
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, in Appalachia, and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds 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 marker: Stevenson's Division (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Clayton's Brigade (about 400 feet away); Walthall's Brigade (about 400 feet away); Pettus' Brigade (about 400 feet away); Final Line (about 400 feet away); Moore's Brigade (about 600 feet away); Final Union Line (approx. 0.2 miles away); 2nd Ohio Infantry (approx. 0.2 miles away).
Also see . . . The Amazing Story of Lookout Mountain's Forgotten Incline Railway.
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, May 17, 2020
2. Incline Number One Marker
William Henry Jackson, ca. 1902/Courtesy Library of Congress
3. The Point Hotel
The incline was installed to carry supplies to build the hotel, which was subsequently demolished after a different incline cut its business.
Credits. This page was last revised on May 26, 2020. It was originally submitted on May 25, 2020, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 948 times since then and 40 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 25, 2020, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
