Railroads began appearing in Tennessee in the 1830s, following decades of relying on the rivers for the transportation of goods. The Memphis and Charleston Railroad and Nashville and Chattanooga Railroad were two of the most important, with the latter crossing the rugged terrain of the Cumberland Plateau to connect the important cities.
By the early 20th century, nearly every town in Tennessee had access to the rail system. Iconic trains like the Chattanooga Choo Choo, immortalized by Glenn Miller’s 1941 song, symbolized the glamour of passenger travel.
The rise of highways caused a downturn in passenger rail, and many of the stations that had once been used fell into disrepair. But luckily for train lovers, three in particular have been preserved as hotels, including one that remains an Amtrak station…