Railroad tracks go by the Crutchfield House headed for Ross's Landing
Rail cars on Broad Street in the early 1900s
Rail cars at one time could be spotted on Broad Street
Broad Street once had railroad tracks going from Ninth Street to the wharf area at Ross's Landing.
The wide street a block away from the city's principal street - Market Street - was first called Mulberry Street. That was in line with the naming of downtown streets after trees, such as cherry, poplar, pine, cedar, oak and walnut.
The first Chattanooga railroad wound its way to Ninth Street at a site across from the Crutchfield House hotel. Thomas Crutchfield Sr. had persuaded the railroad authorities to stop there rather than going to the busy wharf area.
The decision brought some grumbling from those who complained that having the depot "so far out of town in a swamp" benefited only the Crutchfields and the draymen. It was finally decided to lay tracks connecting the rail station with the river traders.
When this was done, the name was changed from Mulberry Street to Railroad Avenue.
The wide street served not only for rail service, but also as the city's principal sewer. At first it was an open ditch leading to the river. Later, after getting advice from a visiting health expert, the unsanitary sewer along Railroad Avenue was covered.
Some rail service continued even after the name was once again changed. The new title was Broad Street since it was the widest street in the city.
It still only went from near the river to Ninth Street. There it was blocked by the growing number of out buildings and tracks for the railroad. Finally, city officials insisted that the logjam be broken and a connection made to Whiteside Street to the south.
As the importance of the train increased and the steamboat and flatboat declined, the rails were taken up on Broad Street.