Chance of Snow

Since our area has a prediction for snow this evening, which is a rare occurrence, we are sharing some photos taken after the March 1993 Storm of the Century. Paul Barys was the only local weatherman to predict more than a small amount of snow for our area. He predicted a 20-inch snowfall five days in advance.

Wayne Maxwell, originally from Sale Creek, was living at Spanish Villa apartments on 58 Highway. He cooked big pots of stew on his kerosene heater for his elderly neighbors, who all said they would not have made it without him.

After the first couple days, Mom and I put our freezer contents on the deck in the snow. Then we proceeded to cook on our kerosene heater. We ate good! It’s kind of hibachi style, cooking one thing at a time.

All photos were taken in Soddy-Daisy, except one at the Hixson Conoco (now Mapco) at Highway 153 and Gadd Road. Approximately five days after the storm, the photo shows people standing in line to purchase kerosence. Power was still out in many areas around Chattanooga. 99¢ for regular gasoline!

Apologies for the quality of these photos. They are phone photos of 35mm photos.

Photographs by Ann Jackson

The slue at the entrance of Rivergate Bay subdivision after the blizzard of 1993.
Snow drift against a house on Tadpole Lane after the 1993 blizzard.
The long line at Conoco on Highway 153 a few days after the 1993 blizzard.

99¢ for a gallon of regular gasoline!

A couple days after the storm snow was up to the knees of some people. It’s measured 23 inches at Hixson Pike and Yaphank Bridge.

Yaphank Bridge

Whether you want to fish, swim, jump, or dive (shhh), Yaphank Bridge is a favorite spot for these activities. It is also a perfect spot to watch the sun rise or set. There have been some swan dives off this bridge, something beautiful to behold. Feet-first is the most popular jumping style, but there have also been belly flops, and even enemas.

The photo below of what I assume was the second bridge was made in 1986. The daisies growing and burnout on the pavement were the charm of the bridge back then. The sad thing about the present is there is always trash thrown around this area, particularly the cemetery, and signs posted everywhere. If we want a dock built, tree work, or to buy a mattress, we will not be calling the numbers on these signs. It’s annoying they’re destroying the beauty of our hometown and lots of times end up in the lake. Signs are obsolete, get a website or social media!

Our Facebook page, Somewhere in Soddy-Daisy, has several photos of the present bridge and a couple of the former bridges.

Note: Please do not jump just because you are sad. Instead call 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (Available 24 hours. Languages: English, Spanish.)

Photograph by Ann Jackson, 1986.

Hixson Pike at Armstrong Road in 1939. The Bridge in the background is under construction. The original yellow plank bridge is in the lower right. Photo from Chattanooga Has History Facebook page.