August 13, 2014

Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park

Georgia/Tennessee

This park, located in Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia and dedicated in 1895, was created to preserve and commemorate the battlefield where in 1863 some of the hardest fighting took place during the Civil War.

We began our tour in the visitor center by watching a 23 minute film, “The Battle of Chickamauga.”  When the film ended, Monte walked into a chair that had been left down.  A huge knot instantly appeared on his shin.  Ouch.

 

 

 

 

 

 

After touring the museum, we took the seven-mile driving tour. 

 

 

 

 

  Each of the 8 stops identifies key points on the battlefield. 

 

By calling and entering the numbered stop on our cell phone we were able to listen to a recording describing the significance of the area.

We were rewarded with spectacular views when we climbed the spiral staircase of the 85-foot Wilder Tower.

 

 

 

 

 

When we finished the driving tour we crossed back into Tennessee and made our way to Lookout Mountain Battlefield and Point Park. 

After touring the small museum,

 

 and showing Monte’s National Park’s Senior Pass saving us the $3 entrance fee, we crossed the street to the entrance of Point Park. 

 

The entrance gate was built in 1905 by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.  It is the largest replica of the Corps insignia. 

 

Ochs Memorial Observatory-great view of the Chattanooga area.