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

Inscription. Block houses were built during the Civil War for use as defensive position to protect critical assets. The military bridge spanning the river located here was protected by a block house similar to the example pictured here.

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. Marker 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

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walking trail. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Chattanooga TN 37403, United States of America. Touch for directions.

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); Stickball / Seven Sisters (approx. 0.3 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 727 times since then and 37 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on September 6, 2012, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio.