Cover photo shows Market Street during the flood of 1917 | Photo: Bob Burk
Beneath the lively streets of downtown Chattanooga lies a secret world—one shaped by the city’s resilience and ingenuity over a century ago. While today’s Chattanooga is known for its scenic riverfront, thriving arts scene, and outdoor adventures, few realize that an entire layer of the city’s past still lingers underground.
A City Submerged: The Great Flood of 1867
Chattanooga’s underground history isn’t just about abandoned buildings—it’s rooted in a tragedy that reshaped the city forever. On March 4, 1867, an unrelenting rainstorm began pounding the region. For four days, the rain continued, and by March 9, floodwaters had swallowed downtown Chattanooga. The water level rose between four to eight feet above city streets, turning businesses and homes into an unlivable swamp.
What made this flood especially devastating was the lack of warning. People living and working downtown had no idea what was coming until it was too late. The disaster claimed lives and left behind extensive structural damage, forcing Chattanooga to rethink how to protect itself from future floods.
The Bold Solution: Raising the City
Rather than abandon downtown, city leaders came up with a radical solution: raise the street level above future floodwaters. By the late 1800s, roads were built on top of the existing city infrastructure, burying entire storefronts, sidewalks, and entryways beneath a new foundation.
“People often assume Chattanooga’s underground is just a myth, but it’s very real,” writes David Jawke of ChattanoogaLocal.com. “These forgotten spaces are a physical reminder of the city’s resilience and willingness to adapt.”
Where Can You See Underground Chattanooga Today?
Though much of the underground city remains inaccessible, there are a few places where you can still catch glimpses of this buried history:
- The Corner of 7th and Cherry Street – Although it is difficult to tell how old the buildings are in this part of downtown, there are hints of history peaking through the brick at ground level.
- Tivoli Theatre & Patten Parkway – Some buildings near these landmarks still bear signs of their underground past, with sealed-up doors and windows that once faced the streets.
- Basements and Hidden Passageways – Downtown buildings constructed before the street level was raised often have bricked-off lower floors, remnants of an era long buried.
According to Jawke, “If these underground spaces were fully restored or opened for tours, they would offer an incredible look into Chattanooga’s past, much like Seattle’s famous underground.”
A Story Waiting to Be Rediscovered
Unlike some cities that have embraced their underground history, Chattanooga’s hidden streets and storefronts remain largely untouched. But as interest grows, could we see these spaces brought back to life?
For now, the underground city remains a secret beneath our feet—whispering stories of a flood that changed Chattanooga forever.
