TOUR AMERIA 2023 – HAWKINS POINTE PARK, ROSSVILLE, GA

August 15, 2023

International Towing Museum, Chattanooga, TN

Yup, we’ve moved a bit further along. Mile by mile, RV park by RV park we’re making our way back home to Florida.

This is our new home until Thursday of this week. It’s a pull through at Hawkins Pointe Park, in Rossville, GA. Not a bad place to hang out but my oh my is the weather crazy in these parts. You start out with a nice sunny day and bam! Just like that you now have thunder storms, wind and rain. It sort of makes sightseeing difficult to plan.

However, we did get out today and saw some of the local sights. One attraction came about because of a show I watch called Highway through Hell (a show about tow trucks working a dangerous highway in Canada) and in one episode they mentioned the International Towing Museum in Chattanooga, TN. Now, that I said to myself, is a place I have to see.

So off we went to see it.

The museum began as a traveling museum sponsored by the Friends of Towing. The museum in its early days fit into a single semi-truck trailer. It went from one two show to another in the late 80’s and early 90’s.

However, due to the growth of the museum’s collection a permanent home was eventually needed. Thus, in 2003 the museum built a permanent home at the foot of Lookout Mountain in Chattanooga, TN.

The purpose of the museum? Per their website: It all started more than 20 years ago when a group of dedicated towing professionals, the Friends of Towing, decided to recognize outstanding individuals in the towing and recovery industry worldwide, record the industry’s history, collect and display artifacts and memorabilia in a museum setting, and provide information about the industry to the public. 

Why Chattanooga?

Because this is where the towing industry got its start. The story told is that an unlucky motorist ran his automobile into the Chickamauga Creek and the challenge was to safely retrieve it. This is a replica of the original wrecker that Mr. Earnest Holmes Sr. created to do the job. It is a 1913 Cadillac that was chosen because of its long wheelbase that added to its stability. It is a twin boom design, a design that was popular for many years.

OK, since I don’t of many people who get all wide- eyed like I do over tow trucks, let me just highlight some of the more unique trucks in the display.

A 1974 Ford painted with the American flag on one side,

and the Canadian flag on the other side. It was painted in this manner to emphasize the joint cooperation between towers in the two countries.

This 1943 wrecker was used in France following the invasion of Normandy and was part of the Red Ball Express. The Red Ball Express was the supply line created after the invasion to maintain roads and bring supplies to the front lines. It was the primary wrecker on this route and was used to clear disabled vehicles from the road.

From the big to the small.

Yes, this is an actual wrecker – with a two cylinder 20 HP engine. It was proven when they used it to lift a Ford Escort and tow it around the parking lot! Yup, that’s me in there. And I was actually able to get back out.

Here we have the world’s fastest tow truck.

OK, now for some odds and ends of interest.

My, my what some people will do to promote their business!

Me thinks he tried to lift too much.

Like father, like son.

There was also a full wall of models on display. The blue one was Ms. Barbara’s favorite.

A quilt made from numerous T-shirts.

I found my golf cart for back home!

Outside is a memorial to those who have lost their lives in the towing industry. The statue depicts a tow truck driver pulling her mother and child from a river into which their car had plunged.

Of course, I had to have a T-Shirt!

The museum proved indeed to be a delightful find and we are glad we had the opportunity to visit it. We learned about the towing industry and so considered our day to be a good one.

Thanks again for spending some time with us.  It’s always great to be able to share our story with family and friends. Comments? Feel free to share them with me. And always remember, cherish every moment of every day that God gives you and live those moments to the fullest.