Chattanooga Valley Historical Society

04/29/2026

The Chattanooga Valley Historical Society held its monthly meeting and welcomed author, Jodi McDaniel Lowery. Ms. Lowery has written a book about her research into the 1963 Lula Lake murders on Lookout Mountain near Flintstone, Ga. Ms. Lowery gave a wonderful talk on her book and took questions from the group. Many members of the Historical Society have ties to the murders of Pete Steele and Carolyn Newell and the trials of James Blevins.

04/28/2026

04/20/2026

🕵️‍♂️ Seeking Your Memories: The 1963 Lula Lake Murders

The **Chattanooga Valley Historical Society** is working to document a pivotal chapter in our local history, and we need your help.

We are seeking to document the personal memories and community impact surrounding the deaths of **Carolyn Newell and Pete Steele** in April 1963. While the legal facts are part of the record, the "human side"—how it felt to live in the Valley during that time—is just as important to preserve.

🗣️ Even if you weren’t there, we want to hear from you!
You don't have to have lived in the Valley in 1963 to contribute. We know this story is still talked about today, and we are interested in the stories, rumors, or local legends that have been passed down through your family or neighbors over the years.

We are looking for memories regarding:
Changing Habits: Did your family’s rules change—like new curfews or locking doors—because of this event?
The Atmosphere: Do you remember where you were when you heard they were missing, or what the mood was like during the search?
The Trial: What did people say about the arrest or the eventual "Not Guilty" verdict?
Mementos: Do you have photos or newspaper clippings we could scan for our archives?

I wasn't able to get our online form working for submissions, so please reach out to me directly with your stories or questions at:
📧 **[email protected]**

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🗓️ Join Us for a Special Presentation
We invite everyone to join us for our next meeting featuring guest speaker **Jodi McDaniel Lowery**, author of *Somebody's Watching: The Unsolved Lula Lake Murders of Carolyn Newell and Pete Steele*.

* **When:** April 28 at 6:30 PM
* **Where:** Flintstone Chapel & Event Center
* **Address:** 2503 Chattanooga Valley Rd., Flintstone, GA 30725

Help us honor the memory of Carolyn and Pete by ensuring their story—and the story of our Valley—is never forgotten.

04/17/2026

🕵️‍♂️ Seeking Your Memories: The 1963 Lula Lake Murders

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfPCVHCFGK2P1BS3rkkYtcb2ofbodpHKC0hHXGg9ilLrcXaCA/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=107385017614117253140

The Chattanooga Valley Historical Society is working to document a pivotal chapter in our local history, and we need your help.
While the legal facts of the April 1963 deaths of Carolyn Newell and Pete Steele are on record, the "human side" of the story—how it felt to live in the Valley during that time—is just as important.
What do you remember? * How did the atmosphere in the Valley change that spring?
What stories were passed down through your family?
How did this event shape our community’s sense of safety?
If you have memories, stories, or reflections to share, please use the link below to help us preserve this history:
👉 Share Your Memories Here https://forms.gle/WBSi4MfL7aLsg88n6
🗓️ Join Us for a Special Presentation
We invite everyone to join us for our next meeting featuring guest speaker Jodi McDaniel Lowery, author of Somebody's Watching: The Unsolved Lula Lake Murders of Carolyn Newell and Pete Steele.
When: April 28 at 6:30 PM
Where: Flintstone Chapel & Event Center
Address: 2503 Chattanooga Valley Rd., Flintstone, GA 30725
Whether you have a story to share or simply want to learn more about this unsolved mystery, all are welcome. Help us honor the memory of Carolyn and Pete by ensuring their story—and the story of our Valley—is never forgotten.
Questions? Reach out to Denise Elliott or submit them through the link above!

03/26/2026

The Chattanooga Valley Historical Society held its monthly meeting on March 24th. The program was given by Doug Carson about the TAG Railroad which ran from Chattanooga, through Chattanooga Valley, through Pigeon Mountain and into Alabama! This program was well received and members and guests had many questions and points of interest to add. We thank Doug for his program and look forward to more!

03/02/2026

Our Program in February was very interesting. Amy Brock-Hon, Professor of Geology at UTC, gave a wonderful talk on the Faulting, Folding and Geology of Chattanooga Valley and Lookout Mountain. It was fascinating. Stay tuned for more interesting meetings. In March, Doug Carson will speak on the TAG Railroad! March 24th, 6:30 pm.

01/27/2026

The January 27th Chattanooga Valley Historical Society meeting is cancelled due to weather conditions. See you in February! Retha Nelson

01/24/2026

CANCELLED!!!