St. Elmo Improvement League in Chattanooga in Hamilton County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)
Lookout Mountain Incline
1895
| | National Historic Mechanical Engineering Landmark | |
Photographed by Craig Baker
1. Lookout Mountain Incline Marker
The Incline, 4,972 feet long and rising 1,450 feet, is superbly designed to suit its location. It makes use of a variable grade, ranging up to 72.7 percent near the top, to compensate for the changing weight of the cables as its cars move. One of the cars has flanges on the inside of its wheels, the other on the outside, allowing the cars to pass midway with no moving parts in the track turnouts. Both cars have self-contained emergency brakes. Originally powered by steam, the Incline now is driven by two 100-hp motors. This the the second incline. The first, located about four blocks north, operated from 1887 to 1899.
Erected 1991 by The American Society of Mechanical Engineers.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Parks & Recreational Areas • Railroads & Streetcars. In addition, it is included in the ASME Historic Mechanical Engineering Landmarks series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1895.
Location. 35° 0.576′ N, 85° 19.708′ W. Marker is in Chattanooga, Tennessee, in Hamilton County. It is in St. Elmo Improvement League.
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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: St. Elmo World War I Memorial (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Ochs Highway (about 600 feet away); Cross Roads (approx. Ό mile away); The Will Cummings Highway (approx. 0.3 miles away); St. Elmo Presbyterian Church (approx. half a mile away); Medal of Honor Heritage Trail (approx. 0.6 miles away); Cravens House (approx. 0.6 miles away); Daniel Ross (approx. 0.6 miles away).
Photographed by Craig Baker
2. Lookout Mountain Incline Marker
Photographed by Craig Baker
3. Lookout Mountain Incline
Photographed by Craig Baker
4. Lookout Mountain Incline
Photographed by Craig Baker
5. Lookout Mountain Incline
Credits. This page was last revised on April 16, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 16, 2026, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. This page has been viewed 24 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on April 16, 2026, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California.
