Hidden Corners: Preserving Chattanooga's Architecture

What Is Historic Preservation?

Downtown Chattanooga Historic District [https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/78a15e4/2147483647/strip/false/crop/1440x1386+0+0/resize/549x528!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F7c%2F8d%2Fc64f4de4499c9b09a20e62e3283c%2Fdowntowncha.jpg]Downtown Chattanooga Historic District(Preserve Chattanooga) To look forward, sometimes you have to look back. We begin the first in our series of conversations on “Scenic Roots” about historic preservation in Chattanooga, in collaboration with the nonprofit Preserve Chattanooga - formerly known as Cornerstones. Todd Morgan is executive director of Preserve Chattanooga. Melissa Mortimer is historic preservation planner for the City of Chattanooga.

Brick By Brick: What’s Next For Preserve Chattanooga At 50

Mayfield Annex - at 7th and Walnut Sts. in Chattanooga. Once home to offices for Hamilton County Government, it was renovated into office, retail and restaurant space in 2017. [https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/b1c9912/2147483647/strip/false/crop/555x538+0+0/resize/545x528!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F30%2F79%2F7ed0d019442a8092c21b7afdc8a9%2Fmayfield-annex.jpeg]Mayfield Annex - at 7th and Walnut Sts. in Chattanooga. Once home to offices for Hamilton County Government, it was renovated into office, retail and restaurant space in 2017.(Preserve Chattanooga) (Aired Mon 4/07/25) For fifty years, what is known today as Preserve Chattanooga has protected the architectural heritage of this city. The only nonprofit of its kind in Chattanooga - founded as Landmarks Chattanooga and known for many years as Cornerstones - has made a difference through preservation, education and advocacy. Todd Morgan is executive director of Preserve Chattanooga.

At Preserve Chattanooga, Fifty Years Of Historic Preservation

The James Building, designed by Chattanooga’s “master architect” R.H. Hunt. [https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/5553acb/2147483647/strip/false/crop/1080x1080+0+0/resize/528x528!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F63%2F74%2F1c75a1bd47859f2cc78b8f045128%2Fjames-building.jpg]The James Building, designed by Chattanooga’s “master architect” R.H. Hunt.(Preserve Chattanooga) (Aired Tues 1/14/25) During this new year of 2025, Preserve Chattanooga - the nonprofit for historic preservation in this city - turns fifty. It’s a time to reflect, a time to celebrate - and a time to look forward. Todd Morgan is executive director of Preserve Chattanooga. This past fall, Bea Lurie joined the nonprofit as its first development director. Preserve Chattanooga logo. [https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/b45ff3d/2147483647/strip/false/crop/653x570+0+0/resize/605x528!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F39%2F78%2Fc8d9dcf44f2b9c32a8d8230907b4%2Fpreserve-cha.jpg] Preserve Chattanooga logo.( Preserve Chattanooga)

Growing Chattanooga’s Landmarks

Wyatt Hall, home to the Chattanooga School for Arts and Sciences - the next promising candidate for historic landmark status in Chattanooga. [https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/38e090c/2147483647/strip/false/crop/800x512+0+0/resize/792x507!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F42%2F05%2F94f27bd44f378f5c821c26152931%2Fwyatthall-csas.jpg]Wyatt Hall, home to the Chattanooga School for Arts and Sciences - the next promising candidate for historic landmark status in Chattanooga.(Preserve Chattanooga) The City of Chattanooga adopted an ordinance in the 1990’s that allows the designation of buildings as Local Historic Landmarks. Buildings that receive the designation - similar to Local Historic Districts, such as St. Elmo to Fort Wood - would receive oversight from the Chattanooga Historic Zoning Commission. However, since the ordinance was adopted years ago, only one structure has ever been designated a Local Historic Landmark: the Shavin Residence, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. Should more landmarks be considered for that designation to try to protect the City’s architectural heritage? We’ll explore what the designation means, what buildings might qualify and why such designations are needed in this second part of our fall conversation series with Preserve Chattanooga, the historic preservation nonprofit in this city. Todd Morgan is the executive director of Preserve Chattanooga - and Rachel Shannon is a board member. _____ Our thanks to Todd Morgan of Preserve Chattanooga for partnering with us on this series. Stay tuned for more here on “Scenic Roots.” On Saturday, October 7th, Preserve Chattanooga hosts “Wine Over Water” at the Hunter Museum of American Art. Details at preservechattanooga.com [https://preservechattanooga.com].

Meet The Master Architect

Chattanooga’s Municipal Building. [https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/0891a63/2147483647/strip/false/crop/1000x693+0+0/resize/762x528!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F21%2F42%2Fe1280611404ab30bb9cee26abe6c%2Fmunicipal-building.jpg]Chattanooga’s Municipal Building.(Preserve Chattanooga) Let’s talk about the legacy of architecture here in Chattanooga. This conversation is the latest in our series of conversations on historic preservation in this city, in collaboration with Preserve Chattanooga - the historic preservation nonprofit formerly known as Cornerstones. Todd Morgan is executive director of Preserve Chattanooga - and Rachel Shannon is a board member. R.H. Hunt, “Chattanooga’s Master Architect.” [https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/ec45658/2147483647/strip/false/crop/1494x1717+0+0/resize/459x528!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fe8%2Faa%2Fcd2537d542aba5b0263d712a5875%2Frh-hunt.jpg]R.H. Hunt, “Chattanooga’s Master Architect.”(Preserve Chattanooga) Stay tuned for the rest of our conversations with Preserve Chattanooga in the coming weeks here on “Scenic Roots.”