Cheer on the Hometown in Catoosa County
April 24, 2021
Just ask Dolly
If you are not sure where Ringgold, Georgia is located, perhaps you should ask the woman many people consider to be one of America’s greatest treasures, Dolly Parton. That is exactly right. Dolly married Carl Dean in 1966 at the Ringgold Wedding Chapel which is still open today. Also tying the knot in Ringgold were George Jones, Tammy Wynette, Ricky Townsend of the New York Giants and Bob Harvey from the rock and roll group, Jefferson Airplane. Yes, Ringgold is not just the wedding capital of the south, it stretches worldwide. Couples from Europe, Asia and the Middle East come to this North Georgia town to say “I do!” But if you are not wanting to get married and just want to visit. Why not head south on I-75. You can’t miss the exits.
Early History
Ringgold sits in Catoosa County. The town was founded in 1847 as a shipping post helped by its great location on the Western and Atlantic Railroad line. The town was named after Mexican War hero, Samuel Ringgold. The town is right on Chickamauga Creek, The Cherokee Indians were of course early settlers around this area. During the Civil War, Ringgold served as a point of entry for Union troops that were invading Georgia. The battle of Ringgold Gap took place in 1863. A number of homes in Ringgold were used as hospitals for Confederate soldiers. Ringgold’s train depot was also a station for soldiers. General William T. Sherman stopped in this area in May of 1864 on his March to the Sea.
Wall to Wall Carpeting
The world’s largest concentration of carpet manufacturing companies is located right along the I-75 corridor. To the southeast of Ringgold you have Dalton and Calhoun. And right in Ringgold, you have the biggest carpet maker, Shaw Industries, owned by Nebraska billionaire Warren Buffet. Several of his plants are based here. Speaking of business. Did you know that O. Wayne Rollins calls Ringgold home. The co-founder of Rollins, Inc. which owns companies like Orkin Pest Control, has donated millions of dollars to colleges such as the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.
Really in Ringgold
You have the Elsie Holmes Nature Park, The Georgia Winery, The Historic Ringgold Depot and the General Locomotive Chase Monument to visit when you stop in this great city. And of course, as we just talked about, there is now a series of historical markers that can be seen as you walk up and down Nashville Street in downtown Ringgold. One of the markers highlights the Ringgold Wedding Chapel. And if you are looking for something to do over Memorial Day weekend, Ringgold has got you covered. For more than four decades, this small town grows in population as people come here for the annual 1890 Days Jamboree. Food, arts and crafts, music and of course fireworks. Admission is free and events are family friendly.
We Salute You
If you really want to see something very impressive, visit Ringgold on either Veteran's Day or Memorial Day. Hundreds of volunteers place flags and crosses throughout the city to represent those who went to war from Catoosa County. At last count, more than 1700 flags were on display to honor deceased veterans.
Come and visit
There is something special about living in a small town and TVFCU knew that when we opened a branch in Ringgold in 2015. This was also the first credit union in the area to use interactive teller technology. If you get a chance, stop in and see branch manager, Kathy Hall, and the rest of her incredible team. As mentioned in a previous blog, we have a branch in Fort Oglethorpe off of HWY 2A. And our newest Catoosa County location is inside the Food City on US-41. I think it is safe to say that our TVFCU employees who work in these branches have a saying they all agree with. “Be proud of your hometown. It’s a big part of what makes you the person you are.”