Boynton Terrace
If you visit Cameron Hill, you’ll find a tribute to Boynton Park but both the hill and the park are mere shadows of their former footprint. Who was Boynton and what is the history of this notable Chattanooga park?
On July 7, 1903, Chattanooga Mayor Alexander Chambliss informed his aldermen that the Southern Land and Loan Company had contacted him about purchasing several lots on Cameron Hill “for park purposes.” Mayor Chambliss asked for authorization to commit to purchase and then read aloud a letter from for Mayor George W. Ochs “suggesting that this park, if purchased, should be called Boynton Park.” Additionally, Ochs offered to “deed to the city, free of cost certain adjacent property on Cameron Hill” to become part of the park and commended the board that “the city would honor itself by showing this slight token of respect to General Boynton.” He concluded his letter with a nod to “this distinguished gentleman” who had been Chattanooga’s friend, steadfast supporter and generous benefactor.
The Board unanimously approved a resolution submitted by the Parks committee members Russell, Lieb and VanDyke, for the purchase of the Cameron Hill lots, the naming of the proposed park and the acceptance of former Mayor Och’s property gift. Upon the third and final reading of the resolution, Boynton Park became a plan.
The following day, the Chattanooga Daily Times editorial page offered support for the action honoring General H. V. Boynton, one of the “best and most influential friends this city has ever had.” The endorsement continued with a challenge that the park should be “one of the handsomest public places in the South.” Once the city fathers had taken the initiative of “creating a monument to him [General Boynton] on Cameron Hill,” work should guarantee a park that would “not only be a credit, but a source of pride to the people.”
Who was this friend of Chattanooga?
Henry Van Ness Boynton had served as a Major and Lieutenant Colonel in the 35th Ohio Volunteer Infantry during the U. S. Civil War and commanded that regiment both at Chickamauga and during the storming of Missionary Ridge. He was brevetted Brigadier General following his “gallantry” at Chickamauga and awarded the Medal of Honor for “valorous action” on Missionary Ridge. A newspaper correspondent after the war and acclaimed author of “Sherman’s Historic Raid,” General Boynton was subsequently the Chairman of the Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park. His return to the scene of his most significant military actions and his work with local and national leaders on securing Chickamauga and Chattanooga’s designation as the first national military park in the United States had endeared him to the region’s residents.
As word spread regarding the city council’s action, scores of letters in support of Boynton Park arrived at City Hall. George Fort Milton, publisher of the Chattanooga News, both wrote to the Mayor and Council and published his letter. “In every emergency, Chattanooga has been at liberty to ask and secure the services of General Boynton. When the rivals of Chattanooga were attempting to create the impression that Chickamauga Park was not the proper place for an army post, it was General Boynton who challenged them to produce the proof or cease their slanders. He stood firmly for Chickamauga… and won his right. In every way possible, General Boynton has befriended Chattanooga, and it would be the proper thing to name the new park in his honor.”
Others joined Milton in his praise for the city’s decision to name the park for the elderly stateman. The Reverend J. W. Bachman wrote: “The name Boynton is very appropriate for the new park as General Boynton has done much for the interests of Chattanooga.” The endorsement by Chattanooga’s “pastor,” a former soldier in the Confederate Army, spoke clearly to Boynton’s ability to unite people in service to the community. Dr. E. B. Wise echoed Bachman’s words, “Nothing would be more appropriate…” while Colonel Ed Watkins added, “No name could reflect more credit to this city than that of Boynton.” J. M. Trimble, a member of the Parks Commission, reflected on the General’s connection to Chattanooga and noted, “Anything this city can do to express its appreciation of his services should by all means be done.”
A.L. Thomas, Parks Commission Chairman, addressed the Council on July 16, admitting that very little work could be done on Boynton Park until the 1904 budget is created and approved. “At present, there are no funds available for that purpose.”
Linda Moss Mines chairs the Chattanooga Parks and Outdoors Commission and she is the county historian. She can be reached at localhistorycounts@gmail.com