Existing comment:
Bluff View Overview:
River Passage:
The Tennessee River for centuries was a highway for Native Americans, traveling by canoe. Then, in the mid-1830s, many of the early Ross's Landing settlers floated themselves and their few belongings on flatboats past this bluff. Later, the river was dotted with keelboats laden with goods for delivery at Ross's Landing and churning steamboats filled with passengers and freight.
Passage across the river was by ferry including the "swing ferry" that was connected to the island in front of you. This island was first known as Chattanooga Island and later as Maclellan Island. The Kestersons at one time lived on the island and farmed it, thought they had to make several hasty retreats in times of high water. The island is now owned by the Audubon Society and kept as a nature preserve. |