Fort Oglethorpe - Catoosa’s Newest Town, 1953

While conducting research for the POST recently, I ran across an interesting book containing a couple of chapters about Fort Oglethorpe from 1953. It was written by Susie Blaylock McDaniel and is entitled Official History of Catoosa County Georgia 1853 - 1953.

It is interesting to see how the newly formed city of Fort Oglethorpe was viewed by the citizens of Catoosa County during that time as well as view names of some of the first official residents and businesses of our then “brand-new” town. I cannot find a digitized version of the book, so I wanted to share the chapters here with you. I hope you enjoy the content and until next time, happy researching!

FORT OGLETHORPE - CATOOSA’S NEWEST TOWN

FORT OGLETHORPE

By Mrs. Eva Henry Skeen

FORT OGLETHORPE AS A MILITARY POST

There are some spots about which history centers - toward which events seem to march. A notable one of these spots is Fort Oglethorpe.

The Cherokees around 1777 concluded a peace and ceed this territory to the white man, but one of the chiefs did not agree. He was Chief Dragging Canoe. About 1792, after a little trouble with him, the Indians were driven from this territory.

In September, 1863, a bloody battle was fought between the North and South in the War between the States. I have heard old timers say that blood was “shoe-mouth-deep” in the depression in front of the Georgia monument. This monument was erected in 1899.

The greatest army of the Spanish-American War was assembled for training in Chickamauga Park. Some of the veterans of that war returned to this area to establish homes; among them were A. E. French, E. V. Whelchel, Logan Mulvaney, Thomas Atkins, Earl Wright, R. H. Bethea and Angus Clifford.

The cantonements of 1917 stood where the tents of 1989 were. This was in preparation for World War I. At one time nearly 3,000 men trained as a medical unit. Modern science assembles with them the instrumentalities that heal and succor even in the paths of destruction. Reserve officers were trained her as well as other branches of the Army.

The construction of Fort Oglethorpe began in 1902 and was finished in 1904. The group of bui8ldings, parade grounds, barracks and officer’s quarters cost in the neighborhood of $2,000,000. This U.S. military reservation consisted of 810 acres, and was named for the founder of Georgia.

Many citizens of Catoosa and surrounding counties remember outstanding events and activities connected with Fort Oglethorpe. The polo games, band concerts, firing of the cannon at 6 o’clock, the German prisoners, and the marching of trainees were some of these things.

Cavalry units were stationed at Fort Oglethorpe longer than any other branch of service. Many of the men of the 6th Cavalry meet here each year for a reunion. It is generally known as the former home of the 6th Cavalry. Many of these men and their families are now valuable citizens of Catoosa County.

Fort Oglethorpe was also used as a training post for World War II. The last bunch of service stationed here was the WAC’s. These women were very efficient and many of the men in this vicinity would have voted for it to remain a WAC camp, but Uncle Sam said “No”.

In 1946, Fort Oglethorpe was discontinued as a military post. On January 2, 1947, the last meal was served at the army hospital. It always takes a time for things to be wound up by the Army, so in February 1947, the Post was turned over to the Public Housing Administration.

To know more about the military history of this place, one should read Govan and Livingood’s book, The Chattanooga Country 1540 - 1951. The subtitle is from Tomahawks to T. V. A. Other information can be obtained from Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park Headquarters Building. There you will find Mr. Chas. Dunn, Mr. Fred Vanous, Mr. Edgar Carden and Mr. James R. Sullivan to help you. To make history more realistic, guided tours are given by appointment.

FORT OGLETHORPE BECOMES A TOWN

What a change! From shot and shells to school and bells; from military to marital; from men and drills to girls and thrills and from post exchanges to grocery stores is the transformation of this little city in less than three years.

In August, 1947, the houses around “the circle” were sold to civilians who had been G. I.’s a short time before. Among these were T. Hooke McCallie, Lon Gilbert, Jack Payne, J. B. Collins, Geo. Sanford and Evans Long. Other first citizens were T. B. Heys, Jr., Al Barger, Marshall Wilkes, Wm. Vander Voort, Roy Treadway, Jack Parks, J. P. Brown and Andy Bowers.

Fort Oglethorpe was a perfect setting for a town with its paved streets, plenty of buildings, lights, water and its location on U. S. Highway 27. In early 1949, the citizens voted themselves a municipality. The first city council was Mr. John F. McCloy, Mayor, with five aldermen: J. B. Collins, T. Hooke McCallie, Lon Gilbert, Al Williams and Geo. Sanford. Mr. Evan Long was town clerk. Others who have been mayor are J. H. Inscore and Burl F Newport.

Some of the first businesses were Industrial Cordage Co., Cahil Foundry, Post Ice and Coal Co., Fort Oglethorpe Theatre, Acme Tool Co., Hackler’s Grocery and Parks Plumbing Shop. The city now has two diners, two drug stores, two garages, two service stations, two grocery stores and two furniture manufacturing companies.

Croft Chenille Co. and Super Tufter Machine Co., are the largest industries. A beauty shop, barber shop, florist, a feed company, Hubbard Mfg. Co., Zesto, Bowen’s Variety Store and a motel are also located here.

The new Tri-County Hospital is located in Fort Oglethorpe. Much labor, money and prayer have been put into this house of mercy. It is a 110 bed hospital. Mr. Oscar S. Hilliard is the Administrator. Doctors of the three counties, Walker, Catoosa and Dade will render services at the hospital. Two of the new doctors will be Drs. Jerome P. Sims and Warren Terrell.

Many of the buildings in Fort Oglethorpe are old and seem to be fire hazards. The citizens of the town have met the situation by forming a volunteer fire company. Mr. Geo. Neale is fire commissioner and Mr. Reuben Satterfield is fire chief. Mr. John Sanders is State Fire Marshall. This volunteer company has worked and made money in various ways to buy new equipment. It meets for training once a week.

Mrs. Edna Earle Lockman is the post mistress at Fort Oglethorpe. She has been in this position since the post office was established. By September first, mail will be delivered to the doors of the citizenry.

Since the population of Fort Oglethorpe consists of many ex G. I.’s, the V. F. W. and American Legion are active in any progressive movement of the city. Other organizations that have helped are Thompkins Masonic Lodge and Thompkins Chapter of the O. E. S. Though space does not permit naming all of their members, one can rest assured that these people are worthy citizens of Fort Oglethorpe.

The first policeman was Jim Bailey, who patrolled the city on foot. Now Fort Oglethorpe owns a patrol automobile.

Men who have never lived in the town, but have contributed to its growth are Mr. M. M. McCord, one of the first property owners, and still a taxpayer; Dr. William Stephenson and his brother, Dr. C. W. Stephenson of Ringgold, who let the city have the polo field at cost, when they could have sold it, tripling their money; the school is on this property; Mr. Tom Christian, who help to secure the water system and worked for the hospital; Mr. Frank Gleason, who did more for the hospital than any other one man, and Eugene Tubbs, business man, who always contributed to improvements of the city.

Soon after Fort Oglethorpe became a city, the East Tennessee Company, with Mr. Dick Hunt as president, developed the Fair Lawn Acres sub-division. Most of the homes were sold to former G. I.’s. Some of these were: Dennis Stevison, Tas Grammar, Gay Clark, Arthur Wiggins, David Downey, T. G. Hixon, the Malone Brothers and Henry Hankins. This is the most heavily populated part of Fort Oglethorpe.

When one walks among the beautiful trees with the squirrels scampering about, the spirits of men and women who have trained here seem to say: “May peace soon come to the world so that all forts may be turned into thriving cities such as we have in Fort Oglethorpe.”