The Local History & Genealogy Department at the Downtown Library is proud to present, Next Stop, Chattanooga! Exploring Our Place on the Great American Road Trip, a new local history exhibit, opens Saturday, June 6, 2026 and runs through September 2026. The exhibit is open to everyone and available to view Monday through Saturday during Library operating hours.
Curated in celebration of America250, Next Stop, Chattanooga! invites visitors to pull over and rediscover the Scenic City’s legacy as the “Gateway to the South.” From the rugged grit of early mountain travel to the transformative arrival of the Dixie Highway and the neon-lit nostalgia of mid-century motor courts, the exhibit explores how the open road reshaped Chattanooga’s landscape, economy, and identity.
“Chattanooga has always known how to make travelers stop and look around,” said Will O’Hearn, Library Director. “With Next Stop Chattanooga!, we’re inviting patrons to take the scenic route through our city’s history and discover the stories that put Chattanooga on the map.”
Through local stories, photographs, and memorabilia, Next Stop, Chattanooga! highlights the differing journeys travelers experienced along America’s highways—from families seeking roadside attractions and adventure to those seeking safe passage through dangerous conditions. Together, these stories reveal how the promise of freedom on the open road shaped our city’s past and continues to define our sense of place today…