Location: East Ridge is the first city motorists enter as they cross the border from Georgia into Tennessee on Interstate 75. With it’s southern border on the Georgia line, the rest of the city is surrounded by Chattanooga.
Size: 8.3 square miles
Founded: 1921
Population: 21,382
Government: Five-member City Council, which includes the mayor. The council appoints a city manager.
Attraction: A Bass Pro Shops is expected to open in 2016 and bring a new wave of retail development in town. To learn more about the city’s history, peruse old memorabilia at the East Ridge History and Archive. The center, located at 1510 Tombras Ave., is open by appointment only.
Schools: East Ridge Elementary, Spring Creek Elementary, East Ridge Middle, East Ridge High, Belvoir Christian Academy, Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic School.
Landmark: Camp Jordan has long been the pride of East Ridge, with 275 acres of recreation fields, walking trails and performance centers. The park attracts a range of tournaments, concerts, events and conventions to the city.
Fun Fact: Camp Jordan is home to a 19-hole disc golf course, which spans the entire length of the park. It was designed in 2012 to be a “championship course.”
Quote: “East Ridge is becoming more of an attraction. The park continues to draw folks from all over the region, because we offer so many first-class fields and tournaments. And the Bass Pro Shops and the development there will bring even more people.” Stump Martin, director of parks and recreation for the city of East Ridge