Moccasin Bend National Archeological District | |
 Moccasin Bend, viewed from Lookout Mountain | |
   | |
| Nearest city | Chattanooga, Tennessee |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 35°2′9″N 85°20′12″W / 35.03583°N 85.33667°W |
| Area | 956 acres (387 ha) |
| NRHP reference No. | 86003510 |
| Significant dates | |
| Added to NRHP | September 8, 1986[1] |
| Designated NHLD | September 9, 1996[2] |
Moccasin Bend Archeological District is an archeological site in Chattanooga, Tennessee, that is part of the Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park unit. The National Park Service refers to it as one of the "most unique units found in the entire National Park Service."[3] The area contains remnants of 12,000 years of continuous human habitation and serves as an area with unique cultural significance. For many years, there was little recognition of the historical significance of the area, and years of industrial development occurred on and around sites of archeological importance. After decades of campaigning by concerned citizens, private organizations, local officials, the Friends of Moccasin Bend National Park, and finally a state representative, the area was officially recognized as a National Archeological District in 2003.[4] Moccasin Bend is currently undergoing a process of renovation and restoration that will allow the area to fulfill the National Park Service's mission of preserving "natural and cultural resources" for the "enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations."[5]
The 956-acre (387 ha) area is located directly across the Tennessee River from Lookout Mountain, site of an American Civil War battle. The archeological district is significant due to the prevalence of historic artifacts found within some of the most historically important Native American sites in the United States.[6] Moccasin Bend was a part of the Trail of Tears and also played a vital role in the American Civil War.
- ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. April 15, 2008.
- ^ "Moccasin Bend Archeological District". National Historic Landmark summary listing. National Park Service. Archived from the original on 2009-03-10. Retrieved 2008-07-01.
- ^ "Moccasin Bend National Archeological District". National Park Service. Retrieved April 1, 2016.
- ^ National Park Service (April 2014). "Moccasin Bend Cultural Landscape Report Introduction, Parts I and II" (PDF). Retrieved 15 April 2016.
{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires|journal=(help) - ^ "What We Do (U.S. National Park Service)". www.nps.gov. Retrieved 2016-04-01.
- ^ "Save Moccasin Bend!" Save Moccasin Bend! Accessed October 27, 2014.