National Archeological District

Moccasin Bend is the only designated National Archeological District in the entire National Park System. Archaeological studies conducted across the National Historic Landmark peninsula revealed evidence of human activity dating back to 10,000 B.C. as the earliest Paleo-Indians hunted and gathered here; continuous habitations followed through the Archaic, Mississippian, and Woodland periods. Places where the plains meet rivers and rivers meet mountains are magnets for humans, drawing us in since time immemorial.

Such gravitational forces are evident today as the seals of the City of Chattanooga and Hamilton County bear the image of the timeless Moccasin Bend landscape formed where the Tennessee River met the immovable force of Lookout Mountain.

Public support for preserving Moccasin Bend nearly resulted in National Park status in 1950 as President Truman signed legislation approving its inclusion; an indefensible failure of vision on the part of Tennessee Governor Frank Clements in 1953 let that opportunity for a world class park mere moments from Chattanooga’s downtown slip away.

Another 50 years would pass before the Moccasin Bend Task Force studies, originally focused on economic development of the remaining land on Moccasin Bend, instead recommended against the continuing desecration of its nationally significant, culturally sensitive, and irreplaceable historic resources. The 23 American Indian Tribes whose ancestors inhabited Moccasin Bend for millennia were engaged in the planning and recognized as stakeholders in all future land use decisions. Ultimately, elected officials at every level – local, state, federal, and tribal – agreed in 2003 to preserve more than 750 acres on Moccasin Bend through the National Archeological District designation, and to remove nonconforming uses (including the Moccasin Bend Mental Health Institute, built in 1961) at the earliest opportunity.