Millions of visitors have ascended the slopes of Lookout Mountain to take in the views at its summit, many even before there were paved roads or an Incline Railway, historians say.
The Lookout Mountain Hotel opened for business in 1857, and travelers have included thousands of soldiers during the Civil War, Spanish American War and World War I. Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park officials will lead programs about these historical visits from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 20, at Point Park on East Brow Road.
The majority of these programs will be informal, with participants visiting living historians at their own pace. However, the Vacant Chair Studio will provide one-hour, formal programs about Civil War photography at 9 and 10:30 a.m., 1 and 2:30 p.m. Also, at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., visitors can meet a tour guide from the 1890s-1900s for a vintage tour of the park.
Programs are free, but entrance to Point Park is $5 per adult, ages 16 and older.
For more information, call the Lookout Mountain Visitor Center at 423-821-7786, the Chickamauga Battlefield Visitor Center at 706-866-9241 or visit the park’s website at www.nps.gov/chch.