Established in 1880 and located in the historic St. Elmo neighborhood nestled at the foot of Lookout Mountain, Forest Hills Cemetery is the resting place of many important people and a landmark of great beauty and history to Chattanooga, Tennessee. Each year in October, it has a program wherein the gravesites of a select number of Chattanooga’s forefathers are included in a cemetery stroll. During the stroll, a person belonging to the Forest Hills Historical Society is dressed in period attire, seated at a gravesite and tells the history of the person and his/her importance to Chattanooga. The narrator either portrays the deceased, his/her spouse or descendant. The stroll is not only interesting and gives an insight into the person’s personal and business life but is held on a day during the fall season when the tree leaves are beginning to change colors. This was my first time to take the stroll, but it will not be my last.
Forest Hills is where I have chosen to be interred, not because I think I am important but because my ancestors are interred there and if a cemetery can be beautiful, this one certainly is. It is a sanctuary of magnificent botanical beauty. Vibrant spruce trees, wildflowers, dogwoods, azaleas, and fruit trees flourish there. Cuttings from the rare species in the graveyard are used for transplanting in other parts of the country. In the spring, many people enjoy an afternoon drive through the cemetery to see its astounding flora. Forest Hills is a place of beauty, history, and great importance to the community.
December 19, 2014 at 7:44 am
What a nice change from a shot of headstones. Sounds like a nice place to be interred – if there is such a place!
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December 19, 2014 at 7:53 am
Fascinating, great interpretation of the theme
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December 19, 2014 at 8:31 am
I was so surprised when I scrolled down to the photo and saw a person sitting there, then I remembered you told me about the stroll. What an interesting way to make history come alive!
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December 19, 2014 at 8:49 am
Very interesting. I have heard of ghost tours but not one that explored the lives of the person. I like the information about the plant cuttings. Thank you for sharing.
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December 19, 2014 at 9:16 am
And you’ll be right by Kay’s Kastel location. 😉
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December 19, 2014 at 9:21 am
Ha…Ha…Ha…Ha, Brad. I never thought of that but what a nice thought to know there will be an everlasting supply of ice cream! Ha…Ha…Ha…Ha … I can’t stop laughing about your comment.
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December 19, 2014 at 9:35 am
What a fabulous idea … I like the processing on her!
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December 19, 2014 at 10:59 am
An interesting piece of history. Nice photo.
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December 19, 2014 at 11:12 am
So interesting! Beautiful shot.
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December 19, 2014 at 4:12 pm
Interesting blog. It sounds a great way to use the cemetery for the good of the community. Keeps the memory of these people alive. Great shot.
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December 19, 2014 at 10:36 pm
Very interesting trivia, but could be a little “spooky”.
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December 19, 2014 at 10:59 pm
Very interesting that the historical society revisits these old graves and tells about the person for modern-day strolling visitors. There are many beautiful cemeteries in the world, and many ugly ones, and I would choose a beautiful one too, in hopes that I would somehow appreciate it after life, if your soul does live on. 🙂
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December 22, 2014 at 7:57 pm
My goodness! This is just a little weird to me, but it is interesting! Wasn’t sure if that little lady was alive or not!
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December 27, 2014 at 12:09 pm
What was my first reaction! But that picture drew me in and I loved your story and History of the stroll! But I think it would creep me out to much to attend the event.
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December 29, 2014 at 5:52 pm
I saw the heading and went straight to the photograph and got a surprise! I thought she was a rave from the grave! Now I see what you have written it’s very interesting and she looks a very nice lady!!
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