Cravens House

Situated on the rising and rugged slopes above Chattanooga was the home of the ironmaster, Robert Cravens. Originally built in 1856, his house and its surrounding terrace became the headquarters of Confederate General Edward C. Walthall. On November 24, 1863, the “Battle Above The Clouds” was waged around the property as Federal units scaled the terrain and eventually pushed back the Southern defense.

Union forces occupied the house as the operations on Lookout, which included the planting of the U.S. flag on Point Lookout early the next morning (November 25), took place. The house itself took some artillery damage and the structure standing here today was rebuilt by Cravens. Dedicated in 1903, the Iowa State Monument is visible down the slope to the lower right.