Audubon Acres
The Elise Chapin Sanctuary
The Elise Chapin Sanctuary
As the headquarters for the Chattanooga Audubon Society,
Audubon Acres includes the Visitor's Center, staff offices, and a
small museum tracing the human habitation history of the
property.
Bisected by South Chickamauga Creek, the Elise Chapin
Sanctuary contains a rich diversity of plant and animal life. The
forested portions of the property are predominately mixed
bottomland hardwood with mixed upland species covering the
slopes and ridges. There are more than four miles of walking
and hiking trails on both sides of the creek. Picnic tables, a
group fire circle, and a tent campsite are available for visitor
use.
Audubon Acres includes the Visitor's Center, staff offices, and a
small museum tracing the human habitation history of the
property.
Bisected by South Chickamauga Creek, the Elise Chapin
Sanctuary contains a rich diversity of plant and animal life. The
forested portions of the property are predominately mixed
bottomland hardwood with mixed upland species covering the
slopes and ridges. There are more than four miles of walking
and hiking trails on both sides of the creek. Picnic tables, a
group fire circle, and a tent campsite are available for visitor
use.
Chattanooga Audubon Society
900 North Sanctuary Road, Chattanooga, TN 37421
900 North Sanctuary Road, Chattanooga, TN 37421
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Spring Frog Cabin
The historic log cabin appears to have been built in the mid-1700's when the
Chickamauga Cherokee first settled along South Chickamauga Creek. The cabin was
named for Spring Frog, a Cherokee naturalist, the cabin was later occupied by the
Walker Family, specifically Robert Sparks Walker, local naturalist, author, and poet
who founded the Chattanooga Audubon Society. Over the years, Cherokee and white
settlers who farmed the property had modified the cabin. The cabin has been
restored and is furnished to depict the typical 19th century pioneer home.
The historic log cabin appears to have been built in the mid-1700's when the
Chickamauga Cherokee first settled along South Chickamauga Creek. The cabin was
named for Spring Frog, a Cherokee naturalist, the cabin was later occupied by the
Walker Family, specifically Robert Sparks Walker, local naturalist, author, and poet
who founded the Chattanooga Audubon Society. Over the years, Cherokee and white
settlers who farmed the property had modified the cabin. The cabin has been
restored and is furnished to depict the typical 19th century pioneer home.
Cherokee Arboretum
The approximately one mile arboretum trail features trees and other plants labeled with their scientific, common, and
Cherokee names written in Cherokee syllabary. Trees are labeled with plastic engraved signs attached to them. In
addition, signs on posts appear in front of the labeled trees which describe the various uses native people made of
the plants. The trail was developed to interpret the forest in the context of American Indian culture and regional
history to give visitors a glimpse into the life of the people who once lived, hunted, and gathered in the forests,
meadows, and along the banks of South Chickamauga Creek.
The approximately one mile arboretum trail features trees and other plants labeled with their scientific, common, and
Cherokee names written in Cherokee syllabary. Trees are labeled with plastic engraved signs attached to them. In
addition, signs on posts appear in front of the labeled trees which describe the various uses native people made of
the plants. The trail was developed to interpret the forest in the context of American Indian culture and regional
history to give visitors a glimpse into the life of the people who once lived, hunted, and gathered in the forests,
meadows, and along the banks of South Chickamauga Creek.
Little Owl Village
Little Owl Village is an archaeological site that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The site was the
location of a Mississippian Era Native American village in the 1400's and 1500's. This village is believed to be the
location of the first contact between local Native Americans and Spanish explorers. Archaeological field studies
have located the site of a winter dwelling that had been burned at the approximate time of the contact with the
Spanish, information consistent with the journal accounts recorded by members of the Tristan de Luna expedition.
Little Owl Village is an archaeological site that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The site was the
location of a Mississippian Era Native American village in the 1400's and 1500's. This village is believed to be the
location of the first contact between local Native Americans and Spanish explorers. Archaeological field studies
have located the site of a winter dwelling that had been burned at the approximate time of the contact with the
Spanish, information consistent with the journal accounts recorded by members of the Tristan de Luna expedition.
Facilities
- Visitor Center with Timeline Exhibit
- Gift Shop
- Walker Hall for Public and Member Rental
- Picnic Area
- Field for games, disc/Frisbee throwing, etc.
- 4.32 miles of hiking and walking trails
| Come Enjoy Nature Today! |
Admission to the property:
Visitor's Center -- Free
General admission to the grounds and trails:
Adults -- $4
Children (ages 5-12) -- $2
Chilren (under age 5) -- Free
Visitor's Center -- Free
General admission to the grounds and trails:
Adults -- $4
Children (ages 5-12) -- $2
Chilren (under age 5) -- Free
| Sorry, no pets permitted in the wildlife sanctuary. |