Signal Mountain, Tennessee

Signal Mountain is a town in Hamilton County, Tennessee, United States. The town is a suburb of Chattanooga, Tennessee. The population was 7,429 at the 2000 census.

Geography

Location of Signal Mountain, Tennessee

Signal Mountain is located at 35°7′45″N 85°20′33″W (35.129126, -85.342417)Template:GR.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 17.3 km² (6.7 mi²), all land.

History

Signal Mountain's history dates back years before settlement of the mountain itself. Centuries prior to the Civil War, Native Americans used a location on the mountain known as Signal Point to send fire and smoke signals across the Tennessee Valley. Later, the Union Army used Signal Point as a communications station during the American Civil War. At the outbreak of the war, only a few families lived on the mountain. However, when various health epidemics struck Chattanooga in 1873 and 1878, several wealthy families relocated to the mountain where they could find clear air and pure water. In the early 20th century, Charles E. James purchased 4,400 acres of land in the Signal Point area and developed the mountain. In 1913, construction was completed of twelve miles of streetcar track, which linked Chattanooga to Signal Mountain. While the streetcars are no longer used, the tracks remain in the streets of Signal Mountain's historic district. On April 4, 1919, the Tennessee Legislature passed the bill that chartered the Town of Signal Mountain. During the 1970's, the town experienced significant growth and has become a notable suburb of Chattanooga. [1]

Notable residents

Rachel Boston, actress

Demographics

As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there were 7,429 people, 2,924 households, and 2,122 families residing in the town. The population density was 429.4/km² (1,112.6/mi²). There were 3,054 housing units at an average density of 176.5/km² (457.4/mi²). The racial makeup of the town was 98.36% White, 0.22% African American, 0.16% Native American, 0.35% Asian, and 0.22% from other races.

There were 2,924 households out of which 33.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 65.9% were married couples living together, 5.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.4% were non-families. 25.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 17.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 3.02.

In the town the population was spread out with 25.6% under the age of 18, 4.4% from 18 to 24, 22.2% from 25 to 44, 27.1% from 45 to 64, and 20.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females there were 87.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.3 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $66,900, and the median income for a family was $86,997. Males had a median income of $70,241 versus $30,878 for females. The per capita income for the town was $37,134. About 2.3% of families and 3.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.3% of those under age 18 and 3.0% of those age 65 or over.

Culture And Attractions

Signal Mountain is home to a number of outdoors attractions including the Cumberland Trail, Mabbitt Springs, and Signal Point which is a U.S. National Park. Visitors and citizens have many different locations to hike and backpack such as Rainbow Lake and Edward's Point. [2]

Additionally, the Mountain Opry hosts a weekly bluegrass music show every Friday evening.

External links

Signal Mountain Community Website Template:Geolinks-US-cityscale