Northshore in Chattanooga in Hamilton County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)
1864 Military Bridge
Photographed By Dale K. Benington, August 6, 2014
1. 1864 Military Bridge Marker
The first bridge crossing of the Tennessee River at Chattanooga was erected in 1864 under the order of Montgomery Meigs, Quartermaster General of the Union armies. This clearing highlights the alignment where the wooden bridge, with its trestled northern approach, crossed the southern portions of Renaissance Park.
The bridge was constructed out of green timber, cut and sawed from trees from the hills where Hill City (North Chattanooga) now stands and the adjacent hills. Work in the river was facilitated by log rafts and pontoon floats. Bridge construction was staged from the north shore so that materials could be carried across completed portions of the span.
After the war, the military bridge was given to the city of Chattanooga, but it proved to be more of a liability than an asset. Marcus B. Long (1914) recalled that a herd of mules being driven across the span collapsed the draw span and resulted in many of the mules being killed in the fall to the river. The military bridge was swept away in the flood of April 1867.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Bridges & Viaducts • War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is April 20, 1867.
Location. 35° 3.678′ N, 85° 18.591′ W. Marker is in Chattanooga, Tennessee, in Hamilton County.
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Union Block House (within shouting distance of this marker); Camp Contraband (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); United States Colored Troops (about 400 feet away); Occupied Chattanooga (about 500 feet away); Hill Overlooks & Industrial Past (about 500 feet away); 1838 Cherokee Removal & Trail of Tears (about 500 feet away); Coolidge Riverside Park / Charles H. Coolidge Medal of Honor Citation (about 800 feet 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 6, 2014
2. 1864 Military Bridge Marker
Close-up view, that is displayed on the marker, of what one would assume to be a Civil War era photograph showing what appears to be the beginnings of a wooden bridge, probably being built to cross the Tennessee River at Chattanooga.
Photographed By Dale K. Benington, August 6, 2014
3. 1864 Military Bridge Marker
Close-up view, that is displayed on the marker, of what one would assume to be a Civil War era photograph showing what appears to be a well designed wooden bridge, with what appears to be Cameron Hill on the opposite bank of the river.
Photographed By Dale K. Benington, August 6, 2014
4. 1864 Military Bridge Marker
Photographed By Dale K. Benington, August 6, 2014
5. 1864 Military Bridge Marker
View of the marker looking north along a park walkway.
Photographed By Dale K. Benington, August 6, 2014
6. 1864 Military Bridge Marker
View of the marker looking south along a park walkway, with a view of the downtown Chattanooga skyline in the distant background.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 11, 2015, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio. This page has been viewed 1,135 times since then and 91 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on June 11, 2015, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on June 12, 2015, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio.
