The city of Soddy-Daisy - a combination of two coal mining towns and the first location of the Hamilton County seat - celebrates its 50th anniversary this year.
Since the city's incorporation in 1969, its population has more than doubled, said City Manager Janice Cagle, a resident of 46 years and former mayor. Likewise, the city's budget has gone from almost nothing to $10 million, its police force has gone from two to 30, and its fire department has gone from all-volunteer to 11 full-time and 15 part-time paid firefighters.
The first Hamilton County seat was located just a block from today's Soddy-Daisy City Hall, but moved to its current location in downtown Chattanooga in the early 20th century.
The city's first mayor, Max Orr, said he and fellow members of the local Lions Club unsuccessfully attempted to incorporate the town of Soddy several years before the local Jaycees led the effort to incorporate Soddy and Daisy as one municipality.
Behind the name
The meanings behind the city’s unusual names are up for debate. Some say Soddy is named after local trading post owner William Sodder. It could also be in reference to the Cherokee word “sauta,” which is derived from “echota,” the name for the East Tennessee capitol of the Cherokee nation that means “river cane” in Cherokee. Others believe it’s an Anglicization of “Tsati,” a shortened version of the Cherokee word for the Muskogean Koasati people that lived there in the 18th century prior to the Cherokee. Daisy is said to be named after Daisy Parks, daughter of Daisy Coal Company founder Thomas Parks.
"Since we were a ways out from the county seat, they felt like we could do better as a city incorporating together," said Orr. "That proved to be true."
He's lived in the area since 1937, aside from his time in the service, and has seen many changes in the area - mainly the condition of the roads and an increase in the number of businesses, he said.
Orr credits the city's incorporation for these improvements as well as other amenities, such as a nursing home, rehabilitation center, numerous restaurants, and recreation areas and facilities used regularly by all types of people.
"We hope to continue to grow and get better," said Orr.
The city is marking the milestone with a celebration at Veterans Park Saturday, Sept. 28 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event features free hot dogs, popcorn, cotton candy, cupcakes, ice cream and city souvenirs, said Cagle.
There will be also be activities and inflatables for the kids and live music from the Stringer's Ridge Band, and the choruses from the city's three elementary schools will perform. A local media company will show a video featuring interviews with former city officials, and representatives will be on-hand from the Soddy, Daisy and Montlake Historical Association, she said.
"We hope everyone will come out and have a good time and celebrate with the city," said Cagle.
Veterans Park is at 9057-9199 Dayton Pike. For more information, visit soddy-daisy.org or call 332-5323.
Brief history of the Soddy-Daisy area
* 1819: Hamilton County is established, with the county seat located about a block from the current Soddy-Daisy City Hall at the home/tavern of Hasten Poe. (The county seat was later moved to the former town of Dallas, then to Harrison and later to Chattanooga.)* 1829: Soddy Post Office is established* 1836: Poe’s Tavern is used as a way station for Cherokees traveling the Trail of Tears* 1867: Soddy Coal Company begins mining coal*1881: Daisy Coal Company is organized* 1883: Daisy Post Office is established* 1969: Soddy and Daisy incorporate to form the city of Soddy-DaisySource: Goodspeed’s History of Tennessee 1887