Tullahoma: Long a crossroads

August 27, 2017 at 1:00 a.m. | Updated August 27, 2017 at 8:59 p.m.

by Compiled by Mike Pare

In this Jan. 23, 2013 photo provided by the U.S. Air Force's Arnold Engineering Development Complex, ATA Mission Support Department construction manager Dusty Kirkham conducts calibration tests on the roll mechanism to be used at in the Propulsion Wind Tunnels. The roll mechanism which supports the sting, or test support arm, and the test article provides the ability to roll the test item during a test and handle higher loads of a test requirement. (AP Photo/U.S. Air Force, Rick Goodfriend)
In this Jan. 23, 2013 photo provided by the U.S. Air Force's Arnold Engineering Development Complex, ATA Mission Support Department construction manager Dusty Kirkham conducts calibration tests on the roll mechanism to be used at in the Propulsion Wind Tunnels. The roll mechanism which supports the sting, or test support arm, and the test article provides the ability to roll the test item during a test and handle higher loads of a test requirement. (AP Photo/U.S. Air Force, Rick Goodfriend)

The geography of Tullahoma, Tenn., has made the southeastern city a crossroads over its history.

While Native Americans crisscrossed the area as it was known as a plentiful hunting ground, the expansion of the United States westward also influenced the city. Even after statehood, Tullahoma became an important stop on the railroad between Nashville and Chattanooga.

Today, Tullahoma serves as an aviation, aeronautics and avionics hub. The Arnold Engineering and Development Center has what's called the most advanced and largest complex of flight simulation and test facilities in the world.

In addition, the University of Tennessee Space Institute is seen as a key educational and applied science facility.

Source: Tullahoma - Tennessee's Rising Star

AT A GLANCE

Tullahoma was founded in 1852 as a work camp along the new Nashville and Chattanooga Railroad. It has a population of 18,655, while Coffee County has 40,343 people. The city is almost equidistant between Chattanooga and Nashville, at 69 miles and 72 miles, respectively. Tullahoma’s name is derived from the Choctaw language and means “red rock.”

DRINK IT IN

* George Dickel Distillery: The Tennessee whiskey producer offers bottles for sale and tours of the distillery. It is part of the American Whiskey Trail. (1950 Cascade Hollow Road; 931-857-4110; georgedickel.com)* Beechcraft Heritage Museum: This aviation museum preserves the heritage nurtured by generations of enthusiasts of Beechcraft models from 1932 through the present. The 60,000-square-foot facility currently houses more than 35 aircraft in addition to original historical artifacts. (570 Old Shelbyville Highway; 931-455-1974; beechcraftheritagemuseum.org)

EAT UP

* The Bluegill Grill (912 Old Awalt Road; 931-455-3151; holidaylanding.com/the-bluegill-grill.php)* Daddy Billy’s (119 NW. Atlantic St.; 931-455-6195; daddybillys.com)* One22West (122 W. Lincoln St.; 931-455-2194; one22west.com)

HIT THE TOWN

Tullahoma is known for the performing arts in the city. Tullahoma High School boasts choral, instrumental, theatrical and visual arts. The choral department was founded under Ann S. Baldwin and had a show choir that began in 1976, one of the first show choirs in the area. Also, the annual 41A Music Festival is held in Tullahoma each year to display local music acts as well as some bigger names. In addition, Tullahoma’s Fine Arts Center displays new artwork monthly from local visual artists in the region.

photo Arnold Engineering Development Complex test engineer Shannon Tibbals, right, and AEDC outside machinist Greg Crabtree get an up-close look at a nozzle in the von Karman Gas Dynamics Facility. VKF includes Tunnels A, B and C and are unique assets in the United States because they are continuous flow with the ability to sustain maximum speed for several days. (AP Photo/U.S. Air Force, Rick Goodfriend)

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