History

The name “Brainerd” comes from the Brainerd Mission, established in 1817 by missionaries working with the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions to teach and do missionary work among the Cherokee. Before removal, the mission and surrounding land were part of the Cherokee Nation. The mission ended operations around 1838-1839 when the forced removal of the Cherokee (the Trail of Tears) occurred.

Over time, smaller local communities (places called Sunnyside, Dutchtown, Bird’s Mill, Ridgeside, Belvoir, etc.) either merged or were absorbed, eventually forming the broader Brainerd community by popular vote in 1926. Brainerd was annexed into Chattanooga in 1930. After annexation, the area saw suburban growth. New roads, housing subdivisions, schools, businesses followed more rapidly after World War II.

BRAINERD PARK NEIGHBORHOOD MARKER, LOCATED BY BRAINERD GOLF COURSE AND ON STREET SIGNS

BRAINERD TODAY

Brainerd is now a well-established suburb of Chattanooga, balancing residential, commercial, and recreational areas. Brainerd Road itself plays a central role—it evolved from paths (Mission Road / Bird’s Mill Road) into a major arterial road. Some of the older road names and paths reflect the area’s pre-mission and mission era history. There’s been attention to preserving heritage (e.g. the cemetery), and also ongoing change (new commercial development, infrastructure, and community projects).

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