Rosemary Varner pulls a cart into Signal Mountain recycling center, which offers single-stream recycling"I like the community feeling. I feel very secure."
- Alice Benz, Signal Mountain resident
* Location: On the western tip of Signal Mountain, northwest of downtown Chattanooga
Geographic area: 7.6 square miles
Population: 7,544
Date founded: April 4, 1919
History: Taking its name from Signal Point, an overlook used by American Indians and, later, Union troops to send messages, Signal Mountain was founded as a resort community where Chattanoogans could escape the cholera and yellow fever epidemics of the early 1900s.
Government: Council-manager government: City Manager Honna Rogers, Mayor Bill Lusk, Vice Mayor Susan Robertson, Councilwoman Annette Allen, Councilman Bill Wallace and Councilman Dick Gee.
Schools: Thrasher and Nolan elementaries, Signal Mountain Middle/High School, Signal Mountain Christian School.
Median income: $96,500.
Landmarks or features: Rainbow Lake, a popular hiking destination originally part of the 1913 Signal Mountain Inn; miles of hiking trails connecting Prentice Cooper State Forest, Shackleford Ridge Park and other town parks.
Unique characteristics: Home to nine horticulture parks, three scenic parks and five wilderness parks.
Unique traditions: Yearly Christmas train celebration at James Park; National Day of Prayer observance at Town Hall.
Best-kept secret: The area's Mountain Opry has hosted a bluegrass show every Friday since 1979.
Fun fact: Signal Mountain Playhouse annually presents two plays, one of which is a summer outdoor musical.
Most famous residents: Poet Emma Bell Miles (1879-1919), award-winning children's author William O. Steele (1917-1979).