Library chasing down Chickamauga history

By Andy Diffenderfer

Correspondent

The Chickamauga Public Library is asking residents for historical city photos and other nuggets of information for a display chronicling the last century of the town’s history.

“There is so much history here,” said library manager Bobbie Abernathy. “Was there another city hall? Who was the first mayor? This was a booming town with a skating rink, theater and car dealership.”

The photos and other information will be displayed on a library wall, similar to a bulletin board, Abernathy said.

“People are really going back to their roots,” said library assistant Joy Denton, a lifetime Chickamauga resident. “I think more want to go back to their roots and see what was here before them. There’s a lot of things that went on in this town. It will be a real good story.”

General city information and photos on landmarks and buildings are welcome “to build the town’s history from the ground up,” Abernathy said.

She said she started tinkering with the idea of a history wall for the library about three months ago, and residents have responded.

For verification purposes, those with information can speak on camera in addition to providing hard copies of their submissions, she said.

“I want this library to be up to date on history,” she said. “You’ve got to get that memory moving.”

One resident quite familiar with Chickamauga’s past is Jim Ed Pierce, who has called the city home since 1922. Pierce, who will turn 92 in November, spoke about the town’s history on camera with Abernathy and City Manager John Culpepper. While Pierce said Chickamauga “has definitely

changed” over many decades, what hasn’t is his affection for his hometown.

“I’ve always loved Chickamauga, and my family is always here,” he said. “I wouldn’t leave it for nothing. All my kids were raised here.”

Pierce remembers when the city had no stoplights, and just a handful of people had automobiles.

Chickamauga, he said, used to have several grocery stores and barbershops and a movie theater, the Liberty Theater, which “cost you a dime on Saturday evening.” Mr. Pierce said he was once floor captain at the city skating rink.

Abernathy said she would like to get the wall up by the first of the year and would also like to have a discussion group, perhaps monthly, for people wishing to talk about Chickamauga history.

“I want people to learn the history of this town from 1900 until now,” she said. “It’s interesting to learn who and what was here before you. People are willing to help and are interested in learning. There’s much here to learn.”

Andy Diffenderfer is based in LaFayette, Ga. Contact him at andydiff97@comcast.net.