Cravens House: A Window on the 'Battle Above the Clouds'

Cravens House, located on the slope of Lookout Mountain, is a historic home that played a significant role in the Civil War's Battle of Lookout Mountain, also known as the 'Battle Above the Clouds'. The original house, built in 1856 by Robert Cravens, a Chattanooga iron industrialist, was strategically positioned, offering views of the Tennessee River Valley. During the Civil War, the house was occupied by both Confederate and Union forces and became a focal point of the battle in November 1863. Union troops stormed the mountain, engaging Confederate soldiers in intense fighting around the Cravens property. The house was heavily damaged during the conflict. After the war, Robert Cravens rebuilt his home in 1866. Today, the rebuilt Cravens House is part of the Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park, offering visitors a chance to explore the site and learn about its history. Visitors can walk the grounds, read interpretive markers, and imagine the events that unfolded during the Civil War. The site also provides access to hiking trails with scenic views of the surrounding landscape.