In the beginning, Ruby Falls was built for dining and dancing, as well as tourism.
The attraction is celebrating its 95th anniversary this year, and Remember When, Chattanooga? is featuring historic photos of Ruby Falls, which opened in December 1929.
The iconic Ruby Falls castle, an edifice made of stone mined during construction of elevator shafts to Lookout Mountain Cave below, was the original entrance to the attraction and home to a restaurant, ballroom and rooftop garden.
Ruby Falls officials say the two-story rock building and tower (shown in the accompanying photograph) was originally called the Ruby Falls Castle. It was designed by famous Chattanooga architect R.H. Hunt, who also designed the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Auditorium, among other public buildings in Chattanooga.