Items

• Oral history interview with Colonel Creed F. Bates, William A. "Lon" Keef, and Cornet Summerfield Vandergriff [audio recording and transcript]
  Frank Mickey Robbins, III, and Charles Flowers interview three longtime residents of Signal Mountain, Tennessee. Creed Fletcher Bates (01 Feb 1894-10 Oct 1975) describes roads, landmarks, families, etc. and apple cider, and later goes with Robbins and Flowers to interview William Alonzo Keef (28 Oct 1887-31 Aug 1977) and Cornet Summerfield Vandergriff (27 Apr 1886-28 Sep 1980). Keef discusses moonshining and the liquor traffic in detail on Signal Mountain. Vandergriff relates life on the mountain, families, farming, roads, springs, and apple cider making.
• Back Porch Talks: "Connor Toll House History" by Crystal Kyle, and "Remembering Walden's Ridge and Signal Mountain's early days," by Edith Elberfeld and Eleanor Willingham Powell [audio recording and transcript]
  Crystal Kyle, then a PhD student interning at the Chattanooga Regional History Museum, gives a talk about the history of the toll gate that was operated by the family of J. C. Connor on Signal Mountain just before and following the Civil War. Kyle notes that the toll house was used by the Union Army as a signal relay point to bring supplies into the area during the war. Eleanor Powell shares early memories of growing up on Signal Mountain, including schooling, ice skating, recollections of the first automobiles traveling up the "W" Road, and her grandmother's friendship with artist Emma Bell Miles.
• "Fireside Chat" presentation by Ruth Holmberg [audio recording and transcript]
  Presentation on the legacy of the Ochs Family, and their work with both the Chattanooga Times and New York Times, by Ruth Holmberg (12 Mar 1921-19 Apr 2017), grandaughter of Adolph Ochs, who served as Editor of both papers during significant periods in their respective histories. Part of the "Fireside Chat" lecture series, hosted by the Chattanooga Regional History Museum.
• "History of American National Bank & Trust Company" presentation by Robert J. Sudderth, Jr. [audio recording and transcript]
  Presentation on the early history of the American National Bank & Trust Company by Robert J. Sudderth, Jr., then Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the American Bank, Director of the United Way, and past President of the Chamber of Commerce. Part of the "Fireside Chat" lecture series, hosted by the Chattanooga Regional History Museum.
• "History of the Wheland Foundry/North American Royalties, Inc." presentation by Gordon P. Street, Jr. [audio recording and transcript]
  Presentation on the early history of Wheland Foundry by Gordon Parkhurst Street, Jr. (14 Jul 1938-13 Mar 2014), then President and Chief Executive Officer of North American Royalties. Part of the "Fireside Chat" lecture series, hosted by the Chattanooga Regional History Museum.
• Oral history interview with Ronald L. Willingham [audio recording and transcript]
  Ronald Lewis Willingham (08 Aug 1951-09 Jan 2012), Chattanooga resident, reminisces about growing up in the 1950s and 1960s, touching on school days, church activities, popular hair and clothing styles, etc.
• Oral history interview with Columbia Jarrell [audio recording and transcript]
  Columbia J. Jarrell (28 Dec 1908-25 Apr 1997), longtime Orchard Knob/Highland Park resident, touches briefly on changes seen in and historical aspects of the neighborhood, including Orchard Knob Church and Orchard Knob Hill park. Relates some events pertaining to family and childhood, and her employment as a domestic and chair factory worker. Discusses personal interests and hobbies, including various types of needlework, especially the covering of shoes and hat making.
• Oral history interview with Henry Samuel Cathey [audio recording and transcript]
  Henry Samuel Cathey (09 Dec 1907-03 Oct 1991), former textile worker, briefly discusses aspects of the history, development, and operation of the hosiery and woolen mills in the Rossville, Georgia/Chattanooga area, including the Peerless Woolen and Richmond Hosiery mills; also recalls bits and pieces of early 20th century life, touching on athletics, home life, clothing, transportation, businesses, historical events, etc.
• "Righting Human Relations in Chattanooga," an address by David Lewis Beebe [audio recording and transcript]
  David Lewis Beebe (07 Sep 1931-04 Mar 2020) delivers the Annual Leadership Chattanooga Alumni Address, "Righting Human Relations in Chattanooga," on Oct. 19, 1987. Dr. Beebe, chair of the Commision on Human Rights and Human Relations for the City of Chattanooga, remarks on the creation, development, scope, and function of the Commission.
• Oral history interview with Joseph W. Johnson [audio recording and transcript]
  Dr. Joseph Wilson Johnson (03 Jun 1910-02 May 1986) briefly recalls the East Terrace community where he grew up, his childhood, education, career in medicine, particularly as it pertained to psychiatry; discusses the growth and development of mental health facilities in Chattanooga.
• Oral history: "Grady Long Talks About Home Remedies and Folklore" [audio recording and transcript]
  "Grady Long Talks About Home Remedies and Folklore." Lifelong Tennessean Grady McCarty Long (02 Aug 1905-21 Apr 1981) gives talk on various herbal home remedies with which he was familiar; discusses some superstitions, practices, phrases and "sayings" that are part of collected folklore.
• "Realtalk" radio interview with Fluker Walton, Sr. by host Booker T. Scruggs [audio recording and transcript]
  Radio show interview with Fluker Walton, Sr. (26 Aug 1890-26 Dec 1983) by host Booker T. Scruggs. Discusses various aspects of early Chattanooga Black history, touching on politicians, schools, doctors, dentists, hospitals, businesses, entertainments, sports, etc.
• "Point of View" television interview with Fluker Walton, Sr., R. L. Ramsey, Elizabeth Green, and Jessie McCants by Booker T. Scruggs [audio recording and transcript]
  Interview for the television program "Point of View" (WDEF) with representatives from the East Ninth Street Community Development Corporation: Fluker Walton Sr. (26 Aug 1890-26 Dec 1983), R. L. Ramsey (29 Oct 1944-18 Nov 1994), Elizabeth Green (?-1982), and Jesse McCants (13 Feb 1936-13 Aug 2013) by host Booker T. Scruggs. Topics discussed include history of and future economic development plans for Chattanooga's Ninth Street area (now Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard). Several early Black businesses and professions are mentioned as well as the role and goals of the East Ninth Street Community Development Corp.
• Oral history interview with Gordon Patterson [audio recording and transcript]
  Gordon Davis Patterson (6 or 9 Feb 1896-14 Mar 1986), long-time Soddy, Tennessee resident and miner, discusses what it was like to work in the Soddy mines from c. 1910 and after, describing equipment, methods, pay, etc.; gives some history of the Soddy-Daisy area, mentioning various early businesses, etc.
• "Point Park Lectures" by Gilbert Govan [audio recording]
  "Point Park Lectures,"Series of informal lectures given at Point Park by park historian, Dr. Gilbert Govan, on the settlement and growth of the Chattanooga region from the frontier era to the 1880s. Topics covered include Cherokee history (wars, early settlers, etc.); Civil War; railroad development; Lookout Mountain development; establishment of the city of Chattanooga; early churches, buildings, etc. Tape 1, side 1: Frontier era; Cherokees, Tape 1, side 2: Frontier era; Cherokees, Tape 2, side 1: Settlement of Chattanooga; early churches, buildings, etc. Tape 2, side 2: History continued from side 1 through Union/Confederate division of citizens. Tape 3, side 1: Lookout Mountain archaeological remains; review of frontier era and Cherokees; Chattanooga settlers. Tape 3, side 2: Railroad development. Tape 4, side 1: Summary of Civil War history. Tape 4, side 2: Summary of Civil War history. Tape 5, side 1: Review of regional history; Civil War activities. Tape 5, side 2: Lookout Mountain development.
• "Lookout Mountain Automobile Tour," oral history interview with Gilbert Govan [audio recording]
  "Lookout Mountain Automobile Tour," with national park staff historian Dr. Gilbert Govan, locates and discusses numerous points of historical significance found principally on Lookout Mountain, including sites of Civil War activities, buildings, roads, trails, railroads, natural formations, etc.
• "Citizens for Mclnturff" luncheon [audio recording]
  "Citizens for Mclnturff" luncheon, Some 175 business and civic leaders were present to honor Chattanooga City Commissioner Mclnturff's years of service to the city. Speakers paying tribute included: Floyd C. Delaney, luncheon chairman; Scott L. Probasco, master-of-ceremonies; Tom Huff; Mayor Ralph Kelley; Ruth Bird; Dr. W. M. Seymour.
• Oral history interview with Isabella S. and Leopold Shumacker, Jr. [audio recording and transcript]
  Isabella Schwartz Schumacker (04 Feb 1886-20 Oct 1985), longtime Chattanooga resident, and son, Leopold Schumacker, Jr. (17 Aug 1916-14 Jul 2006), recall early twentieth century Chattanooga, touching on transportation, schools, teachers, hospitals, and various social and historical events of the times.
• Oral history interview with James Johnston Griffiss [audio recording and transcript]
  James Johnston Griffiss, Sr. (17 Jun 1904-29 Aug 1996), through reminiscences of his active civic career in Chattanooga and childhood days on High Street, Georgia Avenue, and later on Lookout Mountain, creates a picture of the growth and development of Chattanooga from the early twentieth century to date; touches on historical events, social life and customs, businesses, transportation, streets, etc.
• Oral history interview with George McInturff [audio recording and transcript]
  George Llywellien McInturff (15 Jun 1907-24 Jun 1986), Chattanooga politician and public figure who served as city commissioner from 1963-1967, reflects on political career from his introduction into politics, 1942, to his retirement in 1967. Spiced with anecdotes, his reminiscences of elections, campaigns, and local, state, and national political figures he met or knew yield a picture of the administrations of which he was a part. Relates some memories of childhood and youth, and World War II service; expresses closeness to wife and family; gives philosophical views on being a public servant.
• Oral history interview with Zeler Turner [audio recording and transcript]
  Zeler Turner (14 Jun 1913-29 Dec 1989), Howard High School graduate and Chattanooga resident, tells her life story from childhood to 1984. Turner lived her first 23 years in Chattanooga but in 1937 moved to Hendersonville, North Carolina where she resided until her return to Chattanooga in 1975. She relates incidents, events, and experiences of her Chattanooga years that pertain to homelife, childhood, various family members, jobs, and school days; discusses the status and experience of Chattanooga's Black residents, especially in the 1920s and 1930s, touching on businesses and professions, politics, social life, schools, churches, communities, segregation, challenges, and opportunities; describes her involvement (after 1975) with issues related to public housing and toxic wastes. She also tells of her years in Hendersonville, describing the town and its people, jobs and incidents related to them; her fight against glaucoma and oncoming blindness; touches on World War II and the civil rights movement as it affected people there. Gives philosophical views on "senior adults," the changes in people, attitudes, values, and life styles over the years.
• Oral history interview with Clarence Kolwyck [audio recording and transcript]
  Clarence Kolwyck (03 Aug 1901-05 Dec 1984), briefly relates education, law career, service in the Chattanooga and American Bar Associations, and appointment to the State Board of Education. Discusses the Chattanooga Bar Association's investigations of lawyers' abuses related to divorce; lists many prominent local judges, lawyers, and law firms; gives views on improvement in voting practices.
• Oral history interview with Summerfield Key Johnston [audio recording and transcript]
  Summerfield Key Johnston, (16 May 1900-1 Aug 1985), Chattanooga resident, briefly recalls family background, education, and career; gives bits and pieces of early twentieth century Chattanooga history, touching on businesses, industries, schools, historical events, transportation, amusements, etc.
• Oral history interview with Wilkes T. Thrasher, Jr. [audio recording and transcript]
  Wilkes Terrance Thrasher, Jr. (23 Jul 1921-14 Dec 1984), chancery court judge, discusses facets of both his own political career and that of his father, Wilkes T. Thrasher, Sr. which spanned from 1924-­1960; describes the operation of the county government in its county council/manager (post-1941) and county court/judge (pre-1941) forms; describes political practices of the county court era, including the buying of poll taxes, use of the chain ballot, etc.
• Oral history interview with Arlie Hoodenpyle and Creed F. Bates [audio recording and transcript]
  Joseph Arlie Hoodenpyl (15 Dec 1905-13 Oct 1990) and Creed Fletcher Bates (1 Feb 1894-10 Oct 1975), both long time Signal Mountain-Walden's Ridge residents give a brief history of that area, touching on its geographical features, early families, schools, settlements, roads, hotels, etc.