Chattanooga makes Where to Retire's list of "Eight Terrific Towns for History Lovers"

Where to Retire magazine will feature Chattanooga in an upcoming story called "Eight Terrific Towns for History Lovers," WDEF-TV Channel 12 reported Friday. 

The issue will be out Feb. 21.

Chattanooga was the stage for some of the major Civil War battles and now has places, such as the Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park—which is the oldest and largest national military park—for visitors to learn about the area's past. 

During the Civil War, in 1863, Confederate and Union troops fought for control of Chattanooga and its railways. The battles in the area were some of the bloodiest in the war. 

With Union troops led by General William S. Rosecrans, and General Braxton Bragg heading up the Confederacy, troops fought in Chattanooga and Northwest Georgia, with major conflicts surrounding the Tennessee River happening in September.

In November, troops engaged in a battle known as "The Battle Above the Clouds" on Lookout Mountain before moving on to Missionary Ridge. 

Action also surrounded Brown's Ferry and Orchard Knob. 

But Chattanooga has more than Civil War history. The city also has ties to Cherokee history, and city leaders have created The Passage to commemorate the Trail of Tears, which originated here.

The area also has rich black history and is home to the Bessie Smith Cultural Center. 

Bessie Smith was an iconic blues singer born in Chattanooga. 

City leaders are also working on a new Chattanooga History Center, which was recently awarded a $250,000 grant from the Coca-Cola Foundation to help complete the center for the projected fall 2012 opening.

The mention in Where to Retire is one of several recent instances of publicity for the Scenic City.

Chattanooga has also recently gotten mentions on The Today Show, Outside Magazine, The New York Times and Southern Living.  

Magazine officials also named Chattanooga a top place to retire last year.