Missionary Ridge facts for kids
Missionary Ridge is a long, narrow hill in Chattanooga, Tennessee. It is famous for a big battle that happened there during the American Civil War. This battle, called the Battle of Missionary Ridge, took place on November 25, 1863.
During the battle, soldiers from the Union Army fought against soldiers from the Confederate States Army. Union leaders like Ulysses S. Grant, William Tecumseh Sherman, and George Henry Thomas led their troops to victory. They defeated the Confederate forces led by General Braxton Bragg. This win helped end a difficult time when Chattanooga was surrounded by Confederate troops.
Missionary Ridge stretches for many miles, mostly from north to south. It can be very narrow, just a few feet wide, or wider than 660 feet (200 m). The sides of the ridge are very steep, rising over 330 feet (100 m) from the ground below.
The ridge got its name from early missionaries. These missionaries used paths along the ridge to reach Brainerd Village. This village was a settlement for the Cherokee people. In the past, some people also called it "Mission Ridge."
Missionary Ridge Today
The very southern end of Missionary Ridge reaches into Georgia. When the battle happened, the ridge was just east of Chattanooga. But now, because the city has grown, the ridge runs right through the middle of it.
A part of the ridge, about 1⁄4-mile (0.40 km) long, was cut away. This happened when Interstate 24 was built. This section is known as the "Ridge Cut." It has sharp turns and a steep slope. Because of this, it can sometimes be a place where accidents happen or traffic gets very busy.
Today, Missionary Ridge is a nice place where many people live. You can find many special markers and monuments there. These remember the important battle that took place. Some monuments are in people's yards. The larger ones are in small areas that are part of the Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park. The U.S. National Park Service takes care of these areas. A road called Crest Road follows the top of the ridge for almost its entire length.
Plants and Animals on the Ridge
Like many places in the southern United States, Missionary Ridge has a lot of a plant called kudzu. Kudzu grows very fast and can cover everything.
The city of Chattanooga started a special project to control the kudzu. They used goats and llamas to eat the plant. In 2007, these animals grazed along the Missionary Ridge area. This helped to keep the kudzu from spreading too much.
Tunnels Through the Ridge
Several tunnels go through Missionary Ridge, helping people travel around the area.
- Bachmann Tubes: These tunnels carry Ringgold Road. They connect Chattanooga to the nearby town of East Ridge, Tennessee.
- Missionary Ridge Tunnels: Also called McCallie Tunnels, these carry McCallie and Bailey Avenues. After the tunnels, the road continues as Brainerd Road.
- Wilcox Tunnel: This tunnel carries Wilcox Boulevard. It connects to Shallowford Road.
- Whiteside Tunnel: This tunnel is also known as the Missionary Ridge Railroad Tunnel. It is used by the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum trains. The trains travel between East Chattanooga and Grand Junction through this tunnel. The tunnel was named after Colonel James A. Whiteside. He was a well-known person from Chattanooga and a major investor in the railroad.
