Hewn logs form the walls of a replica of Poe’s Tavern. The original building was built in 1817 in Daisy.
A historical re-creation of the 1817 building that would become Hamilton County’s first seat of government and first courthouse will become the anchor of a new city park in Soddy-Daisy.
The re-creation of Poe’s Tavern, originally built in what would be called Poe’s Crossing (eventually Daisy and later Soddy-Daisy), is being erected at Cowart and 13th streets in downtown Chattanooga by students of the Chattanooga Woodworking Academy and by volunteers.
“We hope this will be a public service as well as a learning experience,” said Bill Carney, founder of the woodworking academy, who pitched the idea to city officials. “We hope it will teach history and be of service to the community.”
When it is disassembled and moved to Soddy-Daisy sometime in the fall, the yellow-pine log structure will be placed in a two-acre park adjacent to Soddy-Daisy City Hall. The park will include a walking track, covered pavilions that match the design of the tavern and a large green space for a variety of uses.
“The City Council supports it,” said Soddy-Daisy City Manager Hardy Stulce. “It’s on city property. I think it’s a great thing. There’s a lot of community interest in it.”