What Was Coolidge Park Before It Was A Park?

Before it became the public green-space known today, the site of Coolidge Park in Chattanooga had a very different identity and purpose. Up through the late 20th century, this waterfront parcel was occupied by a military facility — it was the location of a U.S. Naval‑Marine Reserve training station.

Beyond its military use, the broader North Shore riverfront area was generally under-utilized and even neglected: there were no major public amenities, few recreational facilities, and little reason for people to congregate along the water.