History buffs can learn more about Chattanooga entrepreneur Charles E. James in a talk by a local historian Monday.
Jim Douthat will present the program, “C.E. James: A Man for All Jobs,” for the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Bicentennial Library and Chattanooga Area Historical Association. A retired United Methodist pastor, Douthat owns the Mountain Press, a genealogical and historic publishing company established in 1983.
His talk will start at 6:30 p.m. in the downtown library auditorium, 1001 Broad St.
James (1857-1925) became superintendent of Chattanooga Gas Co. in 1876. In 1878 he started a railroad and mining supply business, which became the James Supply Co. He later bought the Chickamauga Coal and Coke Co., the Soddy mine properties and the Chattanooga Southern Railroad. The James Building downtown is named after him. In 1912, James purchased 4,400 acres surrounding Signal Point and helped establish the town of Signal Mountain, as well as the Signal Mountain Inn and the streetcar on Signal Mountain. He later served as the town’s mayor.
For more information, contact Steve Cox at info@chattahistoricalassoc.org or call 425-2186.