Homes on South Mission Ridge Drive in Rossville have backyard views of Chattanooga Valley and Lookout Mountain."I enjoy being here. It's a town that's gone through a lot of changes and it's still a small town."- Marianna Power, owner of La Dean Shop
Location: In Northwest Georgia, across the state line from Chattanooga.
Size: 1.8 square miles.
Founded: Officially incorporated on Aug. 25, 1905, but the settlement known as Poplar Springs dates to 1785 as home to the Cherokee Nation.
Population: 4,105.
Government: Mayor Teddy Harris; City Council members Cindy Bradshaw, Rick Buff, Hal Gray Jr. and Joyce Wall.
Attraction: The home of Chief John Ross, leader of the Cherokees, was built in 1797. The 216-year-old house is the oldest in the Chattanooga area. The residence figured in the history of the Cherokees. The house also was used by both sides during the Civil War as a hospital. Located at 212 Andrews St., it's open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays in June, July and August. Other times, the house is open to groups of 12 or more by reservation. To arrange a tour or join the Chief John Ross Association, the volunteer group that owns and operates the house, call Larry Rose at 706-866-5171.
Schools: Ridgeland High, Rossville Middle, Rossville Elementary, Stone Creek Elementary.
Famous residents: Chief John Ross; country singer Lauren Alaina, 2011 "American Idol" TV show runner-up.
Fun fact: SoakYa, the water park expansion at the 88-year-old Lake Winnepesaukah, is scheduled to open in May. The five-acre water park will include seven slides, a lazy river and a beach lagoon.