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Chattanooga working on new guidelines for historic districts

Staff file photo / There are many different styles of homes in the Ferger Place neighborhood off of East Main Street. The first homes in the neighborhood where built in 1910.
Staff file photo / There are many different styles of homes in the Ferger Place neighborhood off of East Main Street. The first homes in the neighborhood where built in 1910. Staff file photo / There are many different styles of homes in the Ferger Place neighborhood off of East Main Street. The first homes in the neighborhood where built in 1910.

By Ellen Gerst 12 min read

Casilda James has proudly lived in her mission-style Spanish revival home in Ferger Place, with its art nouveau stained glass windows, for more than 50 years.

One day, she found her roof, with its curved glossy green tiles, needed repairs.

Because Ferger Place is one of Chattanooga’s local historic districts, James couldn’t just hire a contractor to get to work.

She also couldn’t just slap on whatever tiles she could find at a local shop. They had to be the same or similar to the original tiles “in design, color, texture, finish and visual quality,” according to the city’s rules for properties in historic districts.

Chattanooga working on new guidelines for historic districts

Staff photo / A Historic Ferger Place banner hangs on a light pole in 2010 along Eveningside Drive at East Main Street.
Staff photo / A Historic Ferger Place banner hangs on a light pole in 2010 along Eveningside Drive at East Main Street.
Staff photo / The entrance to the Ferger Place neighborhood off Main Street is seen in 2010.
Staff photo / The entrance to the Ferger Place neighborhood off Main Street is seen in 2010.
Staff photo by Olivia Ross / A home in the historic Fort Wood neighborhood is seen Jan. 22, 2024.
Staff photo by Olivia Ross / A home in the historic Fort Wood neighborhood is seen Jan. 22, 2024.
Staff photo / Homes line Vine Street in historic Fort Wood, seen in 2011.
Staff photo / Homes line Vine Street in historic Fort Wood, seen in 2011.
Staff photo by Abby White / A historic district sign in Battery Place is pictured July 25, 2025. Battery Place is a designated historic district in Chattanooga.
Staff photo by Abby White / A historic district sign in Battery Place is pictured July 25, 2025. Battery Place is a designated historic district in Chattanooga.
Staff photo by Abby White / The start of Battery Place at the Mabel Street and Battery Place intersection is pictured July 25, 2025. Battery Place is a designated historic district in Chattanooga.
Staff photo by Abby White / The start of Battery Place at the Mabel Street and Battery Place intersection is pictured July 25, 2025. Battery Place is a designated historic district in Chattanooga.
Staff photo by Abby White / A new home being constructed in Battery Place is pictured July 25, 2025. Battery Place is a designated historic district in Chattanooga.
Staff photo by Abby White / A new home being constructed in Battery Place is pictured July 25, 2025. Battery Place is a designated historic district in Chattanooga.
Staff photo by Abby White / A cyclist cruises down Battery Place on July 25, 2025. Battery Place is a designated historic district in Chattanooga.
Staff photo by Abby White / A cyclist cruises down Battery Place on July 25, 2025. Battery Place is a designated historic district in Chattanooga.
Staff photo by Abby White / A home being sold on Battery Place is pictured July 25, 2025. Battery Place is a designated historic district in Chattanooga.
Staff photo by Abby White / A home being sold on Battery Place is pictured July 25, 2025. Battery Place is a designated historic district in Chattanooga.
Staff photo by Abby White / The Battery Place portion of the Tennessee Riverpark is pictured July 25, 2025. Battery Place is a designated historic district in Chattanooga
Staff photo by Abby White / The Battery Place portion of the Tennessee Riverpark is pictured July 25, 2025. Battery Place is a designated historic district in Chattanooga
Staff photo by Abby White / Apartments and a single-family residence are pictured July 25, 2025, in Battery Place. Battery Place is a designated historic district in Chattanooga.
Staff photo by Abby White / Apartments and a single-family residence are pictured July 25, 2025, in Battery Place. Battery Place is a designated historic district in Chattanooga.
Staff file photo / There are many different styles of homes in the Ferger Place neighborhood off of East Main Street. The first homes in the neighborhood where built in 1910.
Staff file photo / There are many different styles of homes in the Ferger Place neighborhood off of East Main Street. The first homes in the neighborhood where built in 1910.

And James wouldn’t have it any other way.