Chickamauga: Battlefield History and Historic Sites

Battlefield and Visitor Information

On September 18, 1863, the Confederate army attempted to cross West Chickamauga Creek at several bridges and fords. During the Battle of Chickamauga on September 19 and 20, Union troops first and then Confederate soldiers used Crawfish Spring as their main water supply. These two episodes relate different events and dates: the attempt to cross the creek and the use of the spring during the battle.

The Chickamauga Battlefield Visitor Center is at the northern end of the battlefield. Its exhibits cover the Battle of Chickamauga and the Chattanooga Campaign and include the Fuller Gun Collection. The battlefield also offers a self-guided tour by mobile phone, with recorded commentary available at eight locations. You can explore the exhibit themes and listen to recorded commentary without treating the two visitor experiences as the same.

Historic Buildings and Industry

Construction of the Gordon-Lee Mansion began in 1840 and was completed in 1847. Tours are available according to published schedules or by special arrangement. Check the current schedule or make an appointment before your visit. Lee and Gordon's Mills is among the oldest mills in the state of Georgia. On September 9 and 10, 1863, the mill served as the headquarters of the Confederate Army of Tennessee, commanded by General Braxton Bragg. These dates precede the Battle of Chickamauga on September 19 and 20, marking a different phase of that month's events.

The Chickamauga coke ovens tell another part of the area's history: the processing of coal into coke. The beehive ovens of the Durham Iron and Coal Company were designed to produce coke for iron and steel foundries in nearby Chattanooga, Tennessee. The site is immediately north of downtown Chickamauga on Highway 341. In the late 1990s, it was reclaimed with railroad cars and the original beehive ovens and restored to its original appearance. Both the ovens' function and the site's later restoration are central to its story.

Museum and Memorials

The Walker County Regional Heritage & Model Train Museum is housed in the former train depot in historic downtown Chickamauga. Visitors can see operating model trains and regional artifacts and learn more about the history of Walker County. In Holland-Watson Veterans Memorial Park, a Huey helicopter stands on a pedestal at the center of the walking path as a symbol of the Vietnam War. The museum presents regional history through model trains and artifacts, while the park centers on a specific memorial.

Trails, Creek, and Crawfish Spring

Chickamauga Battlefield has about 50 miles of trails. Another precisely measured option is the 2.2-mile John Culpepper Chickamauga Battlefield Connector Trail. This multi-use trail connects Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park with downtown Chickamauga. In places, it follows the old Dry Valley Road, where Union soldiers once marched from Mountain Cove through Crawfish Springs. The trail's current use as a multi-use path and the road's historic use offer two different perspectives on the same route name.

You can explore West Chickamauga Creek by canoe or kayak. Check access conditions before paddling. Crawfish Spring has been transformed into a park with picnic tables, a swing, and a pavilion. As amenities may change, check their condition before your visit.

September in Chickamauga

The War Between the States Days festival takes place every September and commemorates the reconciliation of former Confederate and Union veterans. The specific program may change; check event dates and program details before your trip. This distinguishes the recurring September tradition from the details of any particular year's event.

Discover more destinations: Lookout Mountain

For the broader travel overview: Walker County.