Authored By Sean Phipps

A couple visiting from Houston, Texas, this past weekend asked me a rather interesting question after I gave them a walking ghost tour through downtown. They said they were having a great time visiting (they were here a few days and then driving for a week on the Blue Ridge Parkway), but they were confused about our city’s identity. Their question was, “What is Chattanooga?” I responded with something about how our city is a lot of things: culture, arts, technology, history, etc. Most of what I said sounded like it could’ve been said about any city, though. The more I thought about it, the more confused I became. What is Chattanooga? Here’s what I came up with. I’d love to hear what you think.

Chattanooga is present

If Chattanoogans were to focus on the past, we’d be in a lot of trouble. I think what I love most about this city is the almost constant forward thinking we use every day. Chattanooga is a city that has somehow managed to completely reinvent itself. The Environmental Protection Agency declared Chattanooga “the nation’s dirtiest city” in 1969. It was said you couldn’t even see the city from Point Park atop Lookout Mountain because of the smog and pollutants. But instead of sitting on their hands, Chattanoogans decided to do something about it. And now look. This city has gone from the worst in 1969 to the fastest-growing city in Tennessee in 2012. And it’s simply because of our constant focus on the present.

Chattanooga is growing

Speaking of growth, Chattanooga serves as a template for other former industrial cities in which the “industry” disappeared. There is scary growth happening in our city, particularly in the downtown and tertiary cities like Collegedale and Ooltewah. For many years, Chattanooga was just old money. But young entrepreneurs and artists have started knocking down cultural doors. Major manufacturers have opened MAJOR manufacturing facilities. For three years running, Chattanooga has been ranked No. 1 for automotive manufacturing strength. Those nerds you made fun of in high school have brought us the fastest Internet connection in the U.S. “What now?” is, I think, the biggest question I hear from most Chattanoogans. “Whatever you want” is the answer (just so long as you know the right people, of course).

Chattanooga is whip-smart

I’m going to toot our own steamboat horn here for a second. Chattanooga has an outrageous collection of really, really intelligent people. And they don’t all work at TVA and EPB. The young people doing amazing things around our city make me feel like a complete loser comparatively. I mean, I think the most interesting thing I accomplished when I was 21 was somehow not getting vomit on the interior of my car while eating a Sackful of Krystals and drinking a bottle of Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey. Seriously, that was it. We have “kids” who are creating major small businesses and amazing art. I am in awe of your work ethic and intelligence. All of you.

Chattanooga is funky

There is a funky vibe to our city that matches cities like Asheville, N.C., Savannah, Ga., and Orange Beach, Ala. All of those cities are great places to visit, and the locals are just characters you’ll never forget. Chattanooga’s funky manifests itself in areas of downtown and especially North Chattanooga. As a tour guide, I enjoy telling people about Sandy the Flower Man and pointing them in the direction of funky bars like the Pickle Barrel, Chuck’s Condom Shop, Rob’s Restaurant and Lounge and Lamar’s. Big River Grille is not funky.

Chattanooga is easy

I get frustrated by traffic and clutter like everyone else, but then I go to Atlanta or Knoxville and I realize how good we have it. Chattanooga is just easy. You learn to avoid the interstate at certain times and Hamilton Place altogether, and suddenly, Chattanooga feels like this isolated island of activity and freedom. If you can use public transportation and Shanks’ pony, then you can just exist relatively easily. There have been moments in my 12 years here when I’ve said, “Okay, I gotta get the hell out this city, like yesterday.” And then I do for a while. And suddenly I’m back and grateful to be here. And even though I can’t find a job and my cat hates me, life is OK.

You can contact Sean Phipps via email and Twitter with comments and questions. The opinions expressed in this column belong solely to the author, not Nooga.com or its employees.