This Stunning Chattanooga Cemetery Is Hiding Something You Wouldn't Expect

It’s no secret that Tennessee is chock-full of history. It’s hard to go anywhere in the state without being reminded of the many rich stories that are hiding in every little town and around every bend in the road. But nowhere is that history more poignant than at the Chattanooga National Cemetery, the state’s largest cemetery for our country’s soldiers. But that’s not all that this cemetery keeps within its gates. You’ll have to explore for yourself to discover what lies in this cemetery.

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The Chattanooga National Cemetery is located on a hillside in Chattanooga and is actually the largest national cemetery in Tennessee.

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The cemetery is home to over 50,000 of our nation's troops, dating back to the Civil War. In fact, the cemetery was created in 1863 as a place to bury Union soldiers who died in the Battles of Chattanooga.

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While many of the graves in the cemetery are for those who have fallen defending American soil, there are a few graves that stand out for their particular differences.

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Nearly 200 German prisoners of war are buried in the cemetery as well, from both World War I and World War II. The German government even paid for them to have their own monument in the cemetery.

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The cemetery is also home to multiple Medal of Honor winners, including Corporal Desmond Doss, who was the first person to ever win the award despite being a conscientious objector and whose life was depicted in the book and film Hacksaw Ridge.

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Visiting Chattanooga National Cemetery is truly a harrowing experience. It's a tribute to those who have given their lives for a country they believed was worth fighting for.

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Visit the cemetery for yourself today! It's open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekdays and can be found in Chattanooga at 1200 Bailey Ave.

If you’re not a history buff, that’s okay! We’ve got just the place for you: this quiet farmhouse in Tennessee is perfect for anyone’s weekend getaway.