Historic Chattanooga
Chattanooga City College was founded as Zion College in 1949. It had a predominantly African American student body and operated remedial or compensatory programs for high school graduates who lacked the basic skills to be successful in college work. It was located on Fortwood Street, six blocks east of UTC. In 1969 it had facilities valued at $337,000, a full-time faculty of 16, and an enrollment of 234 students. It had little chance of survival with the transition of the University of Chattanooga to the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.
The president of the college, the Reverend Horace J. Traylor, sought to have Chattanooga City College included with the University of Chattanooga as a part of the merger with UT. The cost for UT to acquire the college was set at $300,000. More than a year passed while UT President Andy Holt and University of Chattanooga President William Masterson considered the inclusion of the college. In spring 1969 Governor Ellington saw to it that the required funds were provided, and on August 27, 1969, Chattanooga City College was absorbed into UTC.
Written by Betsey B. Creekmore
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Dr. Horace Jerome Traylor
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History comes to life with the speech of Dr. Horace Traylor, the first African American student at the University of Chattanooga.
Dr. Traylor President of Chattanooga City College
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