More Info
“The sense of community you get from the time you show up makes it feel like home; it’s really what Signal Mountain is all about. You really feel like you’re part of the community and connected with other people. It’s a little slice of heaven where you know everyone.”- Rob Hensley, Signal Mountain community member
Location: The town sits atop Walden's Ridge at the southern end of the Cumberland Plateau and is bordered by the Tennessee River Gorge.
Geographic Area: 6.7 square miles
Population: 8,519, according to 2014 census estimate
Date founded: The town was chartered by the state Legislature on April 4, 1919.
History: The town's location, originally called Signal Point, was used by Native Americans to send smoke signals for communication. The town played a key role in the Civil War battles in the area; the Union used the elevation of the mountain to observe troop movements. During epidemics following the war, wealthy residents of Chattanooga and the surrounding area fled to the town for the clean air and water present on the mountain. By 1913, the town was connected to Chattanooga by roughly 13 miles of streetcar track. Within a few years, the shift began from a vacation location to a town with full-time residents.
Government: The town features a council-manager form of government. The town mayor is Dick Gee, with Bill Wallace as vice mayor and Bill Lusk, Chris Howley and Robert Spalding as council members. The town manager is Boyd Veal.
Schools: Nolan Elementary School and Thrasher Elementary School, Signal Mountain Middle/High School, Signal Mountain Christian School.
Landmarks: Signal Point Park, which overlooks the Tennessee River, is the smallest park in the National Park System. It features the 8-mile Signal Point Trail, part of the Cumberland Trail system. Also in the park is Rainbow Falls, a gorgeous waterfall just a few miles off Signal Point Trail. Eighteen miles of trails wind their way through the town, looping from Shackleford Ridge Park through Prentice Cooper State Forest.
Notable residents: Charles H. Coolidge, Medal of Honor recipient and the namesake for Coolidge Park in Chattanooga, was born in Signal Mountain. Other notables include poet Emma Bell Miles (1879-1919) and award-winning children's author William O. Steele (1917-1979).
Fun facts: The streetcar track constructed in 1913 was done so by C.E. James, who also built the Signal Mountain Inn. A few years later, he added a golf course to the community, now known as the Old Town District. The inn was purchased by the Alexian Brothers in 1936 and now is called Alexian Village, a nationally recognized retirement community.
Check it out: The Mountain Opry, located just outside the town's limits, was described by The New York Times as "the place to be on Friday nights" for those who enjoy "knee-slapping bluegrass and old-time mountain music." The Fairmount Orchard in town sells some of the best apples, baked goods and cider the area has to offer.