Northshore in Chattanooga in Hamilton County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)
Camp Contraband
Photographed By Dale K. Benington, August 6, 2014
1. Camp Contraband Marker
Inscription.
Camp Contraband was the name given to an encampment that existed on this site during the Civil War. The camp was a haven for a large number of refugees, most of whom were liberated slaves seeking safety within the Union lines. The former slaves were hired to do most of the manual labor for building the military buildings, military bridge, roads, railways, stockades, stables, etc. in Chattanooga during the war but were not allowed to live on the south side of the river. It was also where the Black troops (and there were many of them) were quartered. These Black soldiers had an excellent combat record. At the start of the war the population was about 2,500 people. By the end of the war there was more than twice that number of African American refugees in the camps., Many residents of Camp Contraband gradually moved to higher ground away from the river, creating Hill City, one of the city's oldest post Civil War African American neighborhoods.
Camp Contraband was the name given to an encampment that existed on this site during the Civil War. The camp was a haven for a large number of refugees, most of whom were liberated slaves seeking safety within the Union lines. The former slaves were hired to do most of the manual labor for building the military buildings, military bridge, roads, railways, stockades, stables, etc. in Chattanooga during the war but were not allowed to live on the south side of the river. It was also where the Black troops (and there were many of them) were quartered. These Black soldiers had an excellent combat record. At the start of the war the population was about 2,500 people. By the end of the war there was more than twice that number of African American refugees in the camps.
Many residents of Camp Contraband gradually moved to higher ground away from the river, creating Hill City, one of the city's oldest post Civil War African American neighborhoods.
Location. 35° 3.617′ N, 85° 18.617′ W. Marker is in Chattanooga, Tennessee, in Hamilton County. It is in Northshore. Marker can be reached from River Street west of Tremont Street, on the left when
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traveling west. This historic marker is located along the north side of the river, in Renaissance Park, along a park walking trail that runs east and west, near the north bank of the Tennessee River. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Chattanooga TN 37405, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Close-up view, that is displayed on the marker, of a Civil War era photograph showing residents of Camp Contraband.
Photographed By Dale K. Benington, August 6, 2014
3. Camp Contraband Marker
Photographed By Dale K. Benington, August 6, 2014
4. Camp Contraband Marker
View, looking north, of the featured marker, seen to the right of the two markers being viewed.
Photographed By Dale K. Benington, August 6, 2014
5. Camp Contraband Marker
View of the marker, looking west, along a park walkway.
Photographed By Dale K. Benington, August 6, 2014
6. Camp Contraband Marker
View of the marker, looking east, along a park walkway.
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 967 times since then and 151 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on June 25, 2015, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio.