The 5,500 acre Chickamauga Battlefield, scene of the last major Confederate victory of the Civil War, contains numerous monuments, historical tablets, wayside exhibits, and trails. Major points of interest can be reached by following the seven-mile auto tour. The Visitor Center includes exhibits, a bookstore, and the Claud E. and Zenada O. Fuller Collection of American Military Shoulder Arms.

Following the Civil War, development on Lookout Mountain was minimal. The four-hour trip up Whiteside Pike, a toll road, discouraged many people, and the two-dollar toll discouraged the rest. However, many people were interested in visiting the peak, in part due to the romanticized "Battle Above the Clouds" (more) that occurred on the mountain during The Civil War.

During the railroad boom of the 1880's, speculators decided to develop a hotel on the mountaintop serviced by a narrow gauge railroad that would run up the mountain. A second, broad-gauge line and an earlier incline were also competing for passengers.

On November 16, 1895 the railroad known today simply as "The Incline" opened, rising up the steepest part of Lookout Mountain. Built by John Crass and the Lookout Mountain Incline Railway Company this technical marvel boasted an incline of 72.7% at one point, making it the steepest passenger Incline in the world. Literally millions of residents and tourists have taken this ride up to the top of Lookout Mountain. By 1900 the success of this railway closed down all of its competitors.

Originally the cars were made of wood and powered by huge coal-burning steam engines. Electric power was used after 1911, and it now uses two 100 horsepower motors. Today The Incline Railway still attracts people from around the world.

Pigeon Mountain is a beautiful plateau just west of the city of La Fayette, Georgia. The mountain is part of the Cumberland Plateau, which stretches from Alabama through Georgia and into Tennessee. The area is under the supervision of the Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division. The name "Pigeon" comes from the passenger pigeon which once nested here in great numbers and is now extinct. The name "Crockford" is from the former Director of the Wildlife Resources Division, James Crockford. The mountain is known for its many caves and limestone rock formations. The best known cave is Ellison Cave. The area is not heavily visited, so it is a great place to get away from it all.

Hiking:
Pigeon Mountain has miles of trails ranging from easy to difficult. Most trails allow horseback riding and biking. There are many unmarked trails which I hope to map them soon. For now the marked trails are on the map. Look on map for trail locations.

Rocktown is located at the end of Rocktown Road, just off of Rocky Lane. The trail begins at a small gravel parking area. The trail is about 1 mile one way and rather flat and very easy. The trail ends at Rocktown, which is an awesome place for rock climbing or just investigating. I guess its named that because the geological formations in the area make it seem like a small town made of towering rocks. There are many interesting mazes and corridors all through the rocks. In some areas you can climb to the top and actually be on top of the surrounding tree line. Its a great place to wonder and explore or just have a picnic.