Walden

The Pumpkin Patch Playground is located at 1836 Taft Hwy, Signal Mountain.
The Pumpkin Patch Playground is located at 1836 Taft Hwy, Signal Mountain.

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“Walden is a hidden treasure of 2,000 residents nestled in 803 homes creating an atmosphere of rural character and green space, while striving to be a community that preserves pristine natural areas for the enjoyment of its residents. This is an active, spirited community centered on preserving and enriching Walden now and for generations to come.” - Mayor of Walden Bill Trohanis

Location: The town is located on Walden's Ridge, just north of Signal Mountain.

Population: 2,031, according to 2014 census estimate

Founded: The town of Walden was incorporated on July 29, 1975.

Size: 3.6 square miles

Government: The town is governed by a mayor and a board of aldermen. The mayor is William Trohanis, while Thom Peterson is vice mayor and Lee Davis is alderman. Sam Elliott acts as town attorney and Fern Lockhart is the town recorder.

Schools: Nolan Elementary School and Thrasher Elementary School, Signal Mountain Middle/High School, Signal Mountain Christian School.

Landmarks: The town features a number of facilities for residents and visitors, such as the Pumpkin Patch Playground, the McCoy Farm, and the Bachman Community Center. Only a few miles from the town is Falling Water Falls, a 136-acre natural area for all to enjoy. Its centerpiece is an awe-inspiring 110-foot waterfall in the scenic Falling Water Gorge.

Fun fact: The town has the highest elevation of any municipality in the area, making it prime real estate for television and FM radio antennae. WRCB-Channel 3 and WTVC-Channel 9 have antennae in the town, along with FM stations 96.5 WDOD and 106.5 WSKZ.

Famous residents: Adolph Ochs (1858-1935), former owner of The New York Times and The Chattanooga Times, owned a summer home in Walden.

History: Walden was primarily a mining town before the practice became unprofitable around the 1950s. Also, during Prohibition, moonshining was a way of life on Walden's Ridge, and old, broken stills can still be found in wilderness and stream areas.

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