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Remember When, Chattanooga? Drought, war turned out the lights downtown in 1941

President Franklin Roosevelt is shown Nov. 21, 1938, as he inspected the Chickamauga Dam. Less than three years later, the president would declare a national emergency due to events in Europe, and Chattanooga and the South would find themselves in the midst of a power crisis. (AP File Photo)
President Franklin Roosevelt is shown Nov. 21, 1938, as he inspected the Chickamauga Dam. Less than three years later, the president would declare a national emergency due to events in Europe, and Chattanooga and the South would find themselves in the midst of a power crisis. (AP File Photo) President Franklin Roosevelt is shown Nov. 21, 1938, as he inspected the Chickamauga Dam. Less than three years later, the president would declare a national emergency due to events in Europe, and Chattanooga and the South would find themselves in the midst of a power crisis. (AP File Photo)

By Lew Gilliland 7 min read


Last week, EPB spokesperson Sophie Moore encouraged customers to “embrace your inner parent” during the heat wave that has engulfed the Chattanooga area. Turning everything off when you leave the room, Moore reminded us, will help save you money.

Eighty-five summers ago, EPB, then known as the Chattanooga Electric Power Board, was giving similar advice, only it was more of a plea than a suggestion, and the reason was more important than making a parent happy. In fact, it was a matter of national security.

Businesses throughout the city honored the utility’s request, and the result was a downtown Chattanooga that went dark after sunset for much of June and July 1941.

“Drive up Missionary Ridge or either of the mountains tonight or any night in the next week or two, and select a point overlooking the city,” reporter Russ Hart wrote in his story for the Chattanooga News-Free Press, then the city’s afternoon newspaper, on May 30, 1941. “Cast your eyes down toward the heart of the business section, and you will immediately see the results of the power conservation program now in effect in Chattanooga.