Signal Point observation area in the Chattanooga Unit of Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park

Signal Point, part of the Chattanooga Unit of Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park, is a small park located north of Chattanooga on the Moccasin Bend peninsula. During the siege of Chattanooga, the Confederates cut all telegraph lines into the city so the Union forces could not communicate with outside help. To counter this, the Union army set up a series of signaling points along adjacent mountain tops, each within binocular sight distance from one another. Using a system of flag signals, soldiers could sent messages from one point to another. The flag signals were in code, with different signals matching letters of the alphabet. If you have ever seen the film Lord of the Rings: Return of the King, you will recall how smoke signals were relayed from one mountain top to the next to signal that it was time for battle—same concept here. Signal Point was one of the mountain top sites.

Wayside exhibit on Signal Point

In addition to its history, the park offers wonderful views of the mountains and the Tennessee River.