Chattanooga in Hamilton County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)
Bonny Oaks
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, May 9, 2025
1. Bonny Oaks Marker
placed on the
National Register
of Historic Places
by the United States
Department of the Interior
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Architecture. In addition, it is included in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1854.
Location. 35° 4.339′ N, 85° 10.995′ W. Marker is in Chattanooga, Tennessee, in Hamilton County. It is at the intersection of Adamson Circle and Heritage Park Drive, on the right when traveling east on Adamson Circle. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 6178 Adamson Cir, Chattanooga TN 37416, United States of America. Touch for directions.
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
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Bonny Oaks School (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Booker T. Washington School (approx. one mile away); Tennessee Valley Railroad And Museum (approx. 1.3 miles away); Crucial Supply Lines (approx. 1.4 miles away); Chickamauga Station (approx. 2½ miles away); The Tuskegee Institute (approx. 2.6 miles away); Cast Down Your Buckets (approx. 2.7 miles away); Booker Taliaferro Washington (approx. 2.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chattanooga.
Another marker is no longer nearby. Cleburne's Fort (was approx. 1½ miles away but has been confirmed missing).
Regarding Bonny Oaks. Excerpts from the National Register nomination:
The house now used as the superintendent's residence at Bonny Oaks School was originally constructed as a home for Colonel Jarret Dent, a railroad contractor. Dent came to the Chattanooga area in the 1840's to construct two railroads, the Western and Atlantic Railroad and the Tennessee and Georgia Railroad. As one of Hamilton County'swealthiest citizens, Dent built his two-storied Greek Revival Mansion in 1854. During the Civil War, Dent and his family placed their loyalties with the Confederate Army; due to the strong Union feelings of his neighbors, Dent left the area and later moved to Texas.Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, May 10, 20252. Bonny Oaks Marker
In 1898 the house, by then known as Bonny Oaks due to' the stately trees surrounding it, was purchased for use by the Bonny Oaks Industrial School.
Although somewhat altered, the house is architecturally significant to Hamilton County. Although it is representative of many two-story Greek Revival plantation homes built in the 1840-1860 period in the South, nevertheless it is the only one of its type remaining in Hamilton County.
Note: The school closed in 1988. A business park now surrounds the house, which also is used for business purposes.
Also see . . .
1. Bonny Oaks. National Register nomination (PDF) and accompanying photographs (separate PDF) submitted for the property, which was listed in 1980. (M.A. Carver, of Chattanooga-Hamilton County Regional Planning Commission; via National Park Service) (Submitted on June 5, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)
2. About the House. The Historic Dent House, circa 1854, packed with history and memories, provides four stories and seven large main rooms, an extensive butlers pantry, and six bathrooms. (Genesis House of Tea) (Submitted on June 5, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)
Credits. This page was last revised on June 5, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 5, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 1,179 times since then and 48 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 5, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
