The First Horizon Pavilion, which has grown to become one of the flagship event spaces in the Scenic City, is not only home to the incredibly popular Chattanooga Market and many other gatherings, events, and festivals, but it also has a rich and elaborate history, originally serving as the home of the Ross-Meehan Foundry, which dates back to 1895.
The foundry, a major industrial facility, operated for almost an entire century before shutting down in 1985. The foundry was known mostly for serving the country, supplying tank turrets and other tank parts during World War II, among other commercial uses like iron castings, and industrial products typical for a foundry of that time.
When the foundry shut down, it proved to be a major eyesore for the city, and there were very serious talks about demolishing it during the development of Finley Stadium…