On its age, its old homes and the National Register, East Ridge is more historic than 10% of U.S. towns, #165 of 177 in Tennessee. Its share of homes from before 1940 holds the grade up; its age pulls it down.
D
HistoryA character grade: shown, never part of East Ridge’s overall grade.
Tennessee towns list more on the Register than most of the country (a typical Tennessee town has 6.1 per 10,000 residents, the U.S. 2.4), so East Ridge’s 0.0 sits below most of its state (16% of Tennessee towns have fewer) while its 0 listings outnumber those of 23% of U.S. towns.
NoteThe founding year comes from Wikipedia alone; no second source gives 1921.
How sure. Graded on any two of the three inputs instead, the letter would range from D− to C−. The pre-1940 share (±1.7 points) is firm at this size.
Founding year: Wikipedia (other dates in Quick answers). Homes: Census ACS 2020–24. National Register: National Park Service, May 2026 list; each listing counted once (boundary changes and added documentation belong to their listing), and a historic district counts its contributing buildings. How TownRatings grades history →
What stands out about East Ridge’s past
Read from the archive, the National Register and the record. The page puts what stands out first.
Early settlers of East Ridge include the Lomenicks, the Conners and the Greens (in the area around Greenslake Road).
The town was incorporated in April 1921 via private act of the Tennessee Legislature. S.M. Hudlow was the first mayor.
The first major public works project was to install electric lighting for the town. Bonds were issued, a construction contract was signed, and work began. Work was complete by September 1922, with 13.9 miles of lines. Power was provided by the Chattanooga Railway and Light Company.
In 1921, according to Wikipedia’s history of the town. the census of 1930 counted 2,152 people here.
How does East Ridge rank for history?
East Ridge is more historic than 10% of U.S. towns, #165 of 177 in Tennessee. The History grade combines the town’s founding era, the share of homes built before 1940 and its National Register listings. It’s a character grade, so it isn’t part of the overall grade. How it works.
How old are the homes in East Ridge?
5% of East Ridge’s homes were built before 1940 (Census estimate, ±1.7 points), against a typical 4.9% for a Tennessee town; the median home was built in 1964.
Founding dates: Wikidata, Wikipedia, the U.S. post office records of Blevins & Helbock (CC0) and the Census. Homes by year built: Census ACS 2020–24. National Register of Historic Places: National Park Service (list of May 22, 2026). Old photos, postcards and papers: Wikimedia Commons, the Library of Congress and other public archives, credited on each item’s page. Maps: U.S. Geological Survey historical topographic maps (via Esri) and Sanborn fire-insurance maps (Library of Congress). History text and census tables: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0). Places that used to be: USGS Geographic Names Information System (2021).
From Wikimedia Commons (5), Wikipedia, Wikidata and Wikipedia for famous people, U.S. Census counts (via Wikipedia) and the USGS Geographic Names Information System. Archive images are copied here with their credits and licenses, shown on each photo’s page. Refreshed monthly.
2023
2022
2021
2013
2012