The Passage: Honoring Chattanooga’s Cherokee History
Before Chattanooga was a city, this land was known as Ross’s Landing.
(Video/Ian-Alijah Bey)
The Passage is more than just a tourist attraction—it’s a public art installation that honors Cherokee history and culture through water and ancient symbols.
The Passage stretches approximately 300 feet from 1st Street to the river and is composed of four distinct areas, each featuring its own water element. It begins at Aquarium Plaza and ends at the base of the stairway marked by seven symbolic water jets.
The installation tells the story of American colonization and its efforts leading up to the Trail of Tears.
Contact Ian-Alijah at ian-alijah@chattamatters.com
Author
Related Articles
Why everyday Tennesseans show up at the state capitol
Our state reps create and amend hundreds of bills every session. How can you have a say on them? Chattamatters went to Nashville to find out.
Finding Chattanooga’s forgotten cemeteries
Some of Chattanooga’s oldest cemeteries lie quietly beside homes, strip malls, and garbage collection centers. One could be right in your backyard.
Mini journalists with major confidence
We spent time with the fifth graders who run the Calvin Donaldson News Network and talked to them about the stories that matter most in their lives.