Point Park: A Civil War Overlook

Point Park, a 16-acre memorial park, crowns Lookout Mountain, Tennessee, offering visitors a unique blend of natural beauty and Civil War history. Established in 1905, the park commemorates the Battle of Lookout Mountain, a crucial engagement in the 1863 Chattanooga Campaign. Often referred to as the "Battle Above the Clouds," this Union victory helped secure control of Chattanooga. Visitors can explore the park's paved walking paths, which wind past historic tablets, monuments, and Confederate artillery positions. The New York Peace Monument stands as a tribute to reconciliation between Union and Confederate veterans. The Ochs Memorial Museum and Observatory provides exhibits on Civil War signaling, photography, and the Moccasin Bend National Archeological District. From the museum's patio, you can see the Moccasin Bend and the Tennessee River 1,300 feet below. Point Park also serves as a gateway to various hiking trails. The Mountain Beautiful Trail and the Bluff Trail offer scenic hikes with varying levels of difficulty. These trails connect to other historic sites on Lookout Mountain, such as Sunset Rock and Cravens House. Just outside the park, the Lookout Mountain Battlefield Visitor Center features exhibits on the Civil War campaign for Chattanooga, including James Walker's 30-foot-long painting, "The Battle of Lookout Mountain".