It is a small town - No. 148 in population in Tennessee out of 428, and the majority of South Pittsburg residents like the laid-back and close-knit feel. They can get everything they need without ever getting on the freeway.
The downtown area centers on its main street, called Cedar Avenue, which boasts shops, restaurants and businesses. The Lodge iron factory and its outlet store aren't the only big draw, the gentler-times general store feel of Hammer's brings in a large number of visitors. One can buy anything from hats and shoes to jeans, overalls, work boots, cowboy boots and winter coats.
The Dixie Freeze is still a happening place to eat, serving up thick shakes, burgers and foot-longs, and the Pirate is a favorite stopping off place for the best in burgers. Stevarino's boasts great pizza and Italian food, or you can opt for Mexican food at El Toril.
South Pittsburg High School is known statewide for its championship caliber football program, and the baseball team has also made waves.
The marquee of the Princess Theater still lights up downtown and announces community happenings.
- Compiled by Ward Gossett
More Info
REMEMBERINGHistory buffs and genealogists will revel in South Pittsburg’s many cemeteries, which include Ayers, Beene, City, McDaniel, Patton and Gilliam, along with several others. Some of these graveyards house the remains of the area’s original settlers. With such historical significance, several area nonprofits have taken to identifying and inventorying the burials at each cemetery. To find a list, visit historicsouthpittsburg.org.Source: South Pittsburg Historic Preservation Society
More Info
A TOE-TAPPIN’ GOOD TIMEMusic on Cedar Open Mic Night is a great way to experience local flavor and talent of the area. The event happens at 6 p.m. Central the first Tuesday of the month from April to October at the Cornbread Festival Stage next to the Citizens State Bank, 404 S. Cedar.The Fire on the Mountain Bluegrass Festival is a three-day fundraiser for the South Pittsburg Mountain volunteer fire department that takes place each fall. The festival takes place at the mountaintop fire department. From Chattanooga, take I-24 west to the South Pittsburg exit (152A). Follow U.S. Highway 72 to South Pittsburg and turn right at the second red light onto Highway 156. The festival features home cooking, barbecue and music round the campfire late into the night. For more information call 423-837-9895.Source: Marion County Chamber of Commerce.
More Info
CORNBREAD COUNTRYMost people make their way to South Pittsburg for two reasons: cast iron and cornbread. The town is home to Lodge Manufacturing, a major employer that makes cast-iron pots, pans, skillets and Dutch ovens.> Shoppers can find bargains on cookware at Lodge’s factory outlet store, which has moved from its former local on South Cedar Ave. to 220 Third St. In the winter, it’s open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central time Monday through Saturday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays. In summer, the store stays open until 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Call 423-837-5919 for holiday hours.> The National Cornbread Festival takes over South Pittsburg’s main drag for one weekend each spring and has hosted as many as 17,000 visitors over the two days. The festival, occurring on the last weekend each April, includes a carnival, fireworks, the crowning of Miss National Cornbread and a cornbread cook-off. Admission is $5, with preschool-aged children admitted free. The 20th annual festival is scheduled for April 23-24, 2016. n Visit nationalcornbread.com for a full schedule.
More Info
HOLLYWOOD TIESFind a seat at the Princess.> The place that began by showing silent films in as early as 1908 before going out of business in the 1980s is now an updated venue that combines past and present. Its modern restoration makes it a quality place to catch a concert, host a party or sit back and watch a movie. The current condition of the building was made possible through an intense restoration project that lasted more than a decade. This stage has royal roots: Before being dubbed the Princess, it was known as the Imperial and the Palace during renovations during the past half-century.> The city has a connection to two former big-screen stars. Jobyna Ralston, a South Pittsburg native, was the leading lady in numerous early films, and western movie star Tom Mix once worked in security and management at the local Penn-Dixie cement plant.> Located at 215 Cedar Ave., the venue sporadically hosts movies, concerts and other shows. For an updated schedule, call 423-837-5924.Source: South Pittsburg Historic Preservation Society, City of South Pittsburg
More Info
FAST FACTS> Population: About 3,000> Biggest employers: Lodge Manufacturing, Marion County School Board> Landmarks or geographic features: South Pittsburg is situated alongside the Tennessee River and is only minutes from camping and fisherman’s paradise Nickajack Lake.> Date founded: May 23, 1876> History: While the first settlers moved in during the 1830s, the South Pittsburg area also played a part in the Civil War with troops from Union and Confederate armies passing through constantly. The Union army went so far as to build a pontoon bridge across the Tennessee River prior to the Battle of Chickamauga, Ga., in the fall of 1863. Both armies had camps in and around the area and the most notable war event was a Confederate attack of Fort McCook, which took place at the same time as an attack on nearby Bridgeport. Throughout the Civil War, local residents suffered because of plundering by troops from both sides.> Famous residents: Former National Football League player Eddie Moore played at South Pittsburg High School. Moore was an All-SEC linebacker at the University of Tennessee and the first pick by the Miami Dolphins, for whom he played for four years.> Unique traditions: Many of South Pittsburg’s streets are paved with concrete because of the city’s heritage as a hub for the concrete industry.Sources: South Pittsburg Historic Preservation Society, U.S. Census, Marion County Chamber of Commerce, Richard Hardy Memorial School