The Chattanooga Area Historical Association, and the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Bicentennial Library, will sponsor a talk titled C. E. James: A Man for All Jobs. The talk will be by local historian Jim Douthat.
Mr. Douthat is a retired United Methodist pastor is the owner of the Mountain Press, a small genealogical and historic publishing company established in 1983. Mr. Douthat has published over 500 titles of genealogical materials and has written numerous articles for journals and publication.
The talk will be on Monday, Sept. 27, 6:30 p.m., in the auditorium of the downtown library on 1001 Broad St.
Charles E. James (1857-1925) was a Chattanooga industrialist and business leader. In 1876 he became superintendent of the Chattanooga Gas Company. In 1878 started a railroad and mining supply business, which became the James Supply Company. He later bought the Chickamauga Coal and Coke Company, the Soddy mine properties, and the Chattanooga Southern Railroad. The James Building downtown is named after him.
In 1912 James purchased 4,400 acres surrounding Signal Point and helped establish the town of Signal Mountain, as well as the Signal Mountain Inn and the streetcar on Signal Mountain. He later served as mayor of Signal Mountain.
For more information, contact the President of the Chattanooga Area Historical Association Steve Cox, at info@chattahistoricalassoc.org or call 425-2186.