ABANDONED MOUNT AETNA SKYRIDE | RACCOON MOUNTAIN Tennessee | Living Creek Indian Village
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- Опубликовано: 3 окт 2024
- The Abondoned Mount Aetna Tram or Skyride is located in Raccoon Mountain caverns and campground in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Just about 2 miles from I 24. It’s proximity Makes it very convenient to visit all the attractions in the Vicinity of Chattanooga. It Has all the amenities for RV camping and beautiful scenery of raccoon mountain and lookout mountain. But this place has more than that, it has a very long history.
It became a major attraction in 1931 when known cave explorer Leo Lambert discovered a cavern here. YES…. The same Leo Lambert that discovered the famous Ruby falls on lookout mountain. But that’s another video.. Within a few years it became very popular and they opened a campground on the same property as well, and in 1964 they built a tramway and a large, glass-enclosed building by the entrance of the Cave.
This is where our story gets interesting...... The tram ride went 2,800 feet to the top of Mount Aetna (that’s what that area of Raccoon Mountain is called). At the top, a replica of a native American Village was built "Living Creek Indian Village" for entertainment along with trails that people could enjoy not to mention the great scenery of the valley and lookout mountain, it must have been stunning from the summit. Around ¾ of a million dollars was invested for the attraction. But In less than 2 years from the opening date the bottom tram station was completely destroyed by a fire and the night watchman named Willie Cowan perished. The tram ride reopened after a few months of rebuilding, with a much smaller Station, the same one we see today. During the 1970s the tram would be very busy bringing Hang Gliding sportsmen to the top of Mt Aetna and in 1978 new owners renamed the attraction Raccoon Mountain Caverns and Campground, But, the tram had to be taken out of service in 1984 due to the increasing insurance premiums. All that survives today are the cable towers that can still be seen in the trees up the side of the mountain and the bottom station with all the machinery intact with the cable sticking out of the station where the tram would start its journey up the mountain and return with its passengers. Believe it or not!! the tram is still here, abandoned to the side for years and just recently repainted for everyone to admire. And now you know, the rest of the story.. #raccoonmountaintn #lostattractions #raccoonmountaincavernscampground
INFORMATION COMPILED FROM: TIMES FREE PRESS ARTICLE RELEASED on July 25, 2002 - by Harmon Jolley
Plans were announced in 1964 to build a tramway and large, glass-enclosed building at the entrance to Crystal Cave. The cave had been open to tourists since 1931, and developers were hoping that the new attraction would appeal to travelers on the new Interstate-24 nearby. The tram would take passengers 2,800 feet to the top of Mount Aetna (a portion of Raccoon Mountain). At the summit, a Creek Indian village was to be replicated.Tourists could hike along nature trails and gaze at vistas, such as Lookout Mountain and downtown. before making the return trip. An estimated $750,000 was invested in the business venture. The sky tram had not been in operation very long before tragedy struck. On Nov. 30, 1966, the lower transit station caught fire and was destroyed. A night watchman, Willie Cowan, died in the blaze. It took several months for the tram to be returned to operation. A smaller A-frame transit station, which still stands, was built in place of the original building. In 1968, plans were announced for a swinging bridge to be built at the top of the mountain across a ravine, but this was not pursued. When the sport of hang gliding gained popularity in the late 1970’s, the tram transported enthusiasts to the top of the mountain. In 1978, the owners renamed the attraction “Raccoon Mountain Caverns and Campground,” using the more common name for the mountain. The tram was taken out of service in 1984 due to insurance costs, and remains parked at the transit station.
A trio of aging towers marks the path the "Mount Aetna Skyride" tram took to the top of the mountain. The Skyride - opened in 1964 as part of Crystal Caverns - took visitors to the "Living Creek Indian Village."
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The abandoned skyride or Tramway and a large, glass-enclosed building by the entrance of the Cave was built in 1964. This is where our story gets interesting...... The tram ride went 2,800 feet to the top of Mount Aetna (that’s what that area of Raccoon Mountain is called). At the top, a replica of a native American Village was built "Living Creek Indian Village" for entertainment along with trails that people could enjoy not to mention the great scenery of the valley and lookout mountain, it must have been stunning from the summit.
Cool! Videos of abandoned buildings and parks are popular because they are so eerie and dramatic. Thanks for sharing! #Like47
yes they are but they also show the history of the area and how these parks were able to create jobs before the WD came along.🤔
I've been working there for a while. I work with my sister and we are both housekeepers, my elder sister worked in the cave. The cat that was following them is named fanny, mother of pippy and tippy. The ghost of willie haunts the caves and campground,though he is more active in the cave. The way the fire started was because he was a smoker and fell asleep with a lit cigarette in his mouth. He tried to go In the cave to escape the flames but he ended up suffocating in the cave. Over all when ever he starts messing with you either whistling behind you or tapping on the window he means no harm, he just likes to scare people for fun.
Very exciting!! Looks like a lot of fun!!!
Thanks
amazing being there watching this abandoned place thanks John
THank you for your support Dave. Enjoy the weekend.
In the late 80's into the early 90's you took what resembled a ski lift to the top and you could ride the "alpine slide" down. The alpine slide was a concrete luge track than ran from the top to the bottom and was open for all ages. It was a blast and we used to do it 2 or 3 times each summer when I was in elementary school.
That must of been a fun place to grow up. Thanks for sharing it.
Actually it was there in the 70's, as I flew hang gliders from there starting in 19765, and if you followed the luge track, you could stay in the air longer, from the heat rising from the track. Sad that they turned it into an RV park, which took over the entire landing area, so no more hang gliding there. This was my first place I flew off of a mountain cliff launch. But not my last. My highest World Ranking is 2nd. I also have an FAI Gold Medal, and only SMASHED 1 World Record.
Mark M.
@@markmulholland3637 In the 1980s my dad took me to either chattonooga or gatlinburg. Not sure. But they had a hang glider attached to a cable from the top of a mountain to the bottom. I still remember like it was yesterday strapping in and going down the mountain in a big ass hang glider by my self. I was about 9 years old. Any idea were that was and what happened to it? Obviously you could not make any turns it was just a straight shot down on the cable but it was still cool.
Awesome! Like 118.
Thanks for the visit
We came here recently to camp at the camground and and saw some of this. We didn't do the trail, but that same cat is still here. Walking around the campground and into the gift shop even. Haha.
WoW. We often think about that cat, my grandson will be very happy to hear it. Thank you
I have never been to TN. thank you for takign us here John
Thank you so much for your visit and comment.
wonderful upload,nice naman ng lugar dyan
Thank you
This is fun place to explore. I like walking around the woods.
Thank you for all your support.
Very nice video John 😀 BIG 👍 from Denmark
Thanks
Awesome history lesson, The cat knows good folks when he sees them. Amazing the tram was just tossed to side for all those years . I bet it was epic up there and happy the kids made it the next day . Catch ya next time !
The cat made it interesting for sure. The kids made it to the top but you would think they would have videoed some of it except a few pictures LOL. Thanks for the comment my friend.
Wow that is a sad event that Willie died in the fire. That is a pretty cool place, too bad it was abandoned. Like+ Funny that the cat was following you.
It was sad about the loss, he was very well known from what I was told and read about him. The ride was around for a long time but the safety of the ride was not up to par with the insurance Co. the cat escorting us made it more interesting, he even showed us a short cut back to the campground.
Hello my dear friend John!!!
Really, your video and music are Wonderful, i like it very much, many congratulations!!
I subbed and support your channel and i wish you all the best creations, always!!
Warm greetings from me and Greece with a happy Sunday and a beautiful new week to you!! Best regards, George +33like
Thank you very much for your visit, it is much appreciated. I noticed from your channel we have some similar interests and look forward to watching in the coming future. Thank you again George and have a great week as well.
Many thank you too, my dear friend John!!!
The more I watch this Tennessee video series the more I think I am afraid of heights, lol. Very interesting history about the trams. Looks like a nice place to camp. Thanks John.
This is a very good campground. Has some activities and close to everything we wanted to visit and more.
I know you are kidding when you said you are afraid of heights my friend:)
I am surprised at all that Tennessee has to offer 👍
*Hey John, This place looks amazing. WOW you are doing amazing things on your channel. I just love your videos. Thank you for coming to our channel and watching our videos. Your friendship and the time you take to visit us, means the world. oxoxox CM*
Thank you for the kind comment. Always a pleasure watching your videos. Have a great day.
A wonderful video of your exploration and good commentary telling us the "Whole Story" with the historical background info. Interesting that that cat followed you along the trail. Thank you for sharing.
We had a great time with the cat, he definitely made it more interesting. Thank you for your comment Dave.
Cool. Thanks for sharing this interesting tidbit of history. It is interesting how the cat walked all the way up with you.
Unbelievable. He showd us a short cut to the campground thru the woods on the way back. My grandson is crazy about cats and named him Spot, LOL. He hung out with us at the campsite, we gave him some milk and then he went back to his family by the campground office in which we counted 11 cats. We named the group "The Raccoon mountain Guardians". 👍😄
wow great RV/camping area, love the name of the place...to bad about the fire but nice they were able to rebuild...you get lots of animals that follow you lol, humm guess they realize your a great person...climbing those hills is keeping you young...Amazing video...
It's a nice campground close to everything. We enjoyed the stay there. Thank you for your comment. Enjoy your Sunday.
Very interesting. The trail did look steep. Like #31
It was steep alright, on the way down it was nice. Have a good Sunday Johnny and thank you for the visit and comment.
Watching and enjoying this video again your explorations and interesting information about this abandoned skyride. I am making my journey through your "RV TRIPS - Sceneries and Events" playlist. Thank you for sharing my friend.
Thank you Dave
very educational and informative video,thanks for sharing
Thanks for watching. Hope you guys are having a good time.
Love the vedio. Just hiked all the way to the top.. very hard but well worth the view. Now I know the storie. Glad to know the mystery is solved. Me and my daughter were captivated and intrigued with what we found at the top.
Glad you enjoyed it!
@@JohnCRV the cat is still there. A little older but still a camp cat. Her name is Fannie
@@sunshinebitner4454 Great to hear that. Thank you.
Hi John excellent video, interesting facts, like 8 Gary
Thank you Gary. I appreciate the comment.
Спасибо за интересное видео!
Thank you for your visit and comment. Have a good week.
Nice story John. Abandoned stuff is right up our alley. Oh yeah and we enjoyed the cat too! :)
Great, thanks for the comment.😉
Great Tour. My brother lives out there and I have been there and it is neat to see. Thanks John C RV.
Cool, I heard there's an old road going to the top do you know if it's possible to get up there with a 4WD?
Wow!! That’s a crazy story!! Great video! 🎬🙌🏻
Thanks for dropping in Harry, you have a great day and thanks for the visit and comment. I hope you are enjoying Florida.
New to your channel and it's great! I only live about 12 minutes away from here. I wish some millionaire would repair everything and open the trams back up! Beautiful place
Merci beaucoup pour ce beau partage,,bonne soirée !!!amitiés!!Bernard!!!
merci pour la visite et le gentil commentaire. Passe une bonne semaine.
Very nice tour, interesting history of the Tram.
Thank you. Enjoy your weekend.
Thanks John! Enjoy your weekend too!
Thanks for taking us with you
Thanks for coming along.
Love Chattanooga and been there many times. Saw the signs for Racoon Mtn , think we saw the caverns once, but never knew about this area. Great video!
Very cool! Long hike!!! Ya half way sounds good . Full view for you
Thank you for your visit and comment.
Thank you for all the information and beautiful views from the mountains, I felt like I was there. Best wishes for you and take care John.
Thank you Benjamin, I always look forward to your encouraging comments, You take care as well my friend.
Nice history I think you had a tour guide lol. Looks like a pretty steep hike.
Yea, that cat will always be in our memories. Thank you for your comment.
Nice video friend! Very well done! Like 55! Greetings
Thank you for your visit and comment we really appreciate it. have a great weekend.
Thanks John
I rode that tram to the top with my father in 1976 during a hang gliding meet
Great memories!
Chuck and Sherry Toth used to own/run a small motel (Crystal Air Sport Motel?) on the highway near the tramway!
Cool, is it still there?
Great share L80
Thanks for the visit
Interesting history, pretty area
Cute friendly kitty😻. She is a calico, so female cat...used to have one that looked a little like her
Second day hike sounds tough...I’d hang out at camp too😆
Wow! Thats full of history!
Thank you for your visit and comment. Have a good weekend.
Nice! I watch full video and big like for you! Ciaooo
Thank you for your visit my friend. Buona settimana.
Awesomely cool location my friend!
Thank you for your comment sir.
R.I.P. Willie Cowan! Sad about the tram being taken out of service, BUT what a glorious view when the kids made it to the top:) Thank you for telling another wonderful story about your adventures John. Have a wonderful today my friend :)
We love exploring and odd things that most people do not know about. Thanks for your visit and nice comment.
BTW, Changed thumbnail. I will miss the other one, it stood out from others.
I love that you take us all when you explore, and to the other places most of us don't know about. I'm still playing with thumbnails lol... but thank you for your nice comment.
The hat was a nice touch, it showed you were from the lone star state. Just my 2 cents...... Enjoy the weekend.
Absolutely loved this video John. That was a great place you all went to so freakin awesome to explore and that cat that followed you guys made the trip and this video extra special. Nicely done with the music as well made the video more epic!
Thanks Josh I appreciate the comment. Now that I know you have a 4 wheeler I regret not mentioning the road going up the mountain on the other side has lots of off road enthusiasts. I would have loved to spend some time with my H3 up on those trails.
Sounds like a blast to me! I love tennessee and next time im down that way maybe i'll bring my four wheeler along and hit up those roads/trails! Thanks for replying John
thanks for the rest of the story.
I should have said “the whole story”😉 you remember Paul Harvey?
What a great kitty watching over you! Dropping a LIKE on your video! Watching and Supporting - I love your educational videos John!
I have more footage of that cool cat than the hike itself. At one point during the climb he disappeared into the brush and after we walked about 200 ft he reappeared with a lizard in his mouth, that would have been to gross to show. Then just before we gave up on the hike he kept walking behind us for a while and kept walking back away from us for about 10 feet and then turn around and follow us again, giving me that feeling not to go further, it was kind of strange when we stopped at that big rock debating if we should continue or turn back, he would not go up ahead of us from there like he did at the start of the trail but he kept looking toward the way back instead. When we were almost back to the beginning of the trail he went into the woods straight down the mountain toward the campground showing us a shortcut. Unbelievable. My grandson is crazy about cats and named him Spot, LOL. He hung out with us at the campsite, we gave him some milk and then he went back to his family by the campground office in which we counted 11 cats. We named the group "The Raccoon mountain Guardians". 👍😄
That's interesting! Awesome tour! Watched twice 👍🤠 Max Seattle WA
Thank you Max, I always appreciate your visit and comment. Have a good day.
Time for me to catch up on what you’ve been up to! Still watching
That looks like a beautiful historic site!
The whole area has lots of history. Thank you for the comment. Enjoy the rest of the week.
mantap jiwwaaa,, i like your vid
That’s a strong Chicago, Dennis Farina accent! 👊😃
Think kitty was trying to keep you guys safe from bigger cats maybe? Cute fella. John you live an awesome lifestyle, hope we can travel like you once our kids get older, so cool. Stay safe and keep exploring!
That cat was something. Yes we do not want to see anything much bigger than that cat except in a cage LOL. Thank you for kind comment, hope you get to trave in due time, it is a big country out there. Have a great day.
… Another great Video !!! ….love the mountains !!!!
… Greetings from Orlando, Florida !!! Carlos.
LIKE # 50 ( I Subscribed #1.8K+ )))
thanks for the 3 min :(
There was an Alpine slide and a go cart track and arcade. You would ride a skylift up and ride cart down a concrete track. It's all gone now.
Thanks for the input.
The cat liked you guys ..lol Great video
Thanks Lou. I appreciate the comment.
thats amazing mate shame the tram does not run any more
*😇gave our like👍👍AU 👫🔍full video watched🔎*
Thanks for the visit and comment Billy. Enjoy the weekend.
Great Work!
thanks for the comment. See you around.
A very exciting adventure!! Well shown, I drove through your home state on my way to Florida! Have a good weekend John!! THUMBS UP
Thanks for the visit and comment, we live in Florida😉👍
Okay cool, I hope your safe I heard about the weather, I'm in Toronto, Ontario!! Cheers John!
Thanks for the concern but we are lucky this time being southeast of the storm, just got a few drops of rain. Have a great weekend.
nice like 33 full view my friend
I do not think the thumbs up are working anymore. I see 32 I do not think YT cares about this anymore. Thank you my friend.
Hey John looks like you made a friend on that hike. lol
I had cats follow me before but this was a little different. You had to be there. Yea, he was something else LOL.
The remaining pulley house at the top is (or at least was in 2007) a fun 4-Wheeling destination.
Interesting. Thank you
Wow. I use to ride that tram when hang gliding off the mountain, back in the day. Sad to see it in ruins. We use to have to flare for a landing on top of the mountain ( everyone to the back of the tram ) so the gliders , which were stored underneath for the ride up,, would clear the cement landind. Good times.
Great story Gerald, Love to hear the way the gliders where strapped on the bottom of the Tram, it was very small in today's standards like the one they have in Stone Mountain but it's part of Mount Aetna's history. Thank you so much for the comment I appreciate it, my family will love it.
What a beautiful place, love the history John, I'm glad they open it again, even the cat followed you 😊
Thank you so much for your visit Lee, I always like hearing from you. Unfortunately. they never did open it again. Except refurbishing the tram so people can see what it looked like somewhat.
Watched again video. like 56 Gary
Thanks Gary, appreciate your visit.
Neat, but sad history, in this area. That cat was super funny following you all around.
Yea, it would have been cool to ride it but they have plenty of other attractions in this area. It would have been cool to see the village on top as it was back in the day. The cat was interesting, I been followed by them before but this was different. He even showed us a shortcut back to the campground. LOL.
Fascinating story. I do not know what I enjoyed more, the film or the story ?! Although, ultimately, one without the other does not really make sense, right? Congrats for another good video! All my best! Sorin
Yes and no. Thank you Sorin.😉
Great video thanks brother. Great history there for sure. I think it's wrong for insurance to put something so great out of business. Keep up the great work see you in the next video thanks again brother
Yep, Legal extortion, if they don't want you someone just raise them till they go out of business. It's being done every day and we let them get away with it.
Thanks for great video my friend!I am nature lovers.It cat is alone🐱
he is not alone, we gave him some milk and then he went back to his family by the campground office in which we counted 11 other cats. We named the group "The Raccoon mountain Guardians". 👍😄
@@JohnCRV You are great person,because you are help to sweet cat😻👍I am happy hi is not alone😀
I took a ride similar to this back in '92 at Chattanooga.
different ride?
@@JohnCRV It was. But keep in mind it was back in '92.
@@Skippy585 Very cool! thanks
Great video John. Do you remember that here in Italy we have the AEtna vulcan? :)
Yes I remember very well, Aetna is just the Latin name of Aetna volcano in Sicilia. There are many places that are named after old cities in Italy here. I have a video of Rome Georgia and it has a very interesting history how it got its name:) you should see it. Ciao Rocco, buona giornata, grazie del commento.
Enjoy again complete video! I through it was another channel.
All good Frankie
Looks creepy!😂 Nicw vid man
Thanks for the visit and watching my friend. Have a great week.
Insurance costs for things like that are crazy high.
Yep, especially when they are that old.
We tried to watch video...alas campground wifi is too slow but want to show support so for now we can at least comment and leave a thumbs up for you the video plays but is distorted so letting it run so you can get a watch credit although...not sure if it is really working or not?
It’s good just to hear from you buddy. Your effort is admirable. Thank you for that. Take care of yourself and hope all is going well.
I can't do sky rides any longer
ended :-)
Another beautiful place full of woods! Thanks for sharing my friend from United States. My new video: ruclips.net/video/rrOcU464FvM/видео.html
Thank you for your visit my Italian Brother. I always appreciate you comment. Buona settimana.