Northshore in Chattanooga in Hamilton County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)
Union Block House
Photographed by Dale K. Benington, August 1, 2012
1. Union Block House Marker
Block houses were constructed with an exterior wall above an embankment made from the dirt excavated from a ditch surrounding the structure. They used heavy vertical and horizontal timbers to withstand artillery fire. Small openings were cut in the timbers just above the dirt embankment to accommodate defensive weapons fire. The tower on top served as a lookout vantage point.
Each block house would have housed from ten to as many as thirty soldiers. The blockhouse troops were often composed of members of regiments from the United States Colored Infantry.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • War, US Civil.
Location. 35° 3.663′ N, 85° 18.597′ W. Marker is in Chattanooga, Tennessee, in Hamilton County. It is in Northshore. It can be reached from River Street south of Cherokee Boulevard (Tennessee Route 8). This historic marker is located on the north side of the Tennessee River, in a riverside community park, just west of the "John Ross Bridge,"along a walking
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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: 1864 Military Bridge (within shouting distance of this marker); Camp Contraband (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); United States Colored Troops (about 300 feet away); Occupied Chattanooga (about 400 feet away); 1838 Cherokee Removal & Trail of Tears (about 400 feet away); Hill Overlooks & Industrial Past (about 500 feet away); Coolidge Riverside Park / Charles H. Coolidge Medal of Honor Citation (approx. 0.2 miles away); Chattanooga's Changing Riverfront (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chattanooga.
Photographed by Dale K. Benington, August 1, 2012
2. Union Block House Marker
Photographed by Dale K. Benington, August 1, 2012
3. Union Block House Marker
Close-up view of the text on the historic marker.
Photographed by Dale K. Benington, August 1, 2012
4. Union Block House Marker
Close-up view of the photograph on the historic marker.
Photographed by Dale K. Benington, August 1, 2012
5. Union Block House Marker
View of the historic marker in the foreground and of the reproduction of the block house in the background.
Photographed by Dale K. Benington, August 1, 2012
6. Union Block House Marker
View of the historic marker looking south along the walking trail, towards the Tennessee River, with a distant view of the downtown Chattanooga skyline in the background.
Photographed by Dale K. Benington, August 1, 2012
7. Union Block House Marker
View of the historic marker looking north along the walking trail, with a distant view of the downtown North Chattanooga skyline in the background.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 4, 2012, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio. This page has been viewed 1,199 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on September 6, 2012, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio.
