A forgotten chapter of Chattanooga’s history was brought into focus during the Historic Preservation Town Hall held on Wednesday at Chattanooga City Hall, where descendants and preservation advocates called for greater recognition and protection of Turkey Foot Hollow, also know as Shot Hollow, and Johnson Cemetery, one of the region’s most historically significant burial grounds.

Hosted by Chattanooga City Council Members Dennis Clark, Ron Elliott and Cody Harvey, the town hall introduced the historic preservation planning process for Chattanooga and Hamilton County.

The initiative is being led by Walker Collaborative in partnership with Preserve Chattanooga and funded by the Lyndhurst Foundation and the Tennessee Historical Commission. The discussion was moderated by WUTC’s Ray Bassett.

Among those addressing attendees were former Chattanooga City Councilman Russell J. Gilbert Sr. and his daughter, Skieree A. Gilbert, who presented a historical overview of Turkey Foot Hollow (Shot Hollow) and Johnson Cemetery. The presentation was based on years of family research and historical documentation compiled by Terri, Russell, and Skieree Gilbert.

For decades, Russell and Terri Gilbert have been dedicated advocates for preserving Johnson Cemetery and the history of Turkey Foot Hollow (Shot Hollow). Through historical research, family records, oral histories, and community engagement, they have worked to protect the burial grounds of their ancestors and preserve the legacy of the families who helped shape the community.

Their preservation efforts have become a multi-generational family initiative. Alongside Russell and Terri, their daughter, Skieree Gilbert, has played an active role in researching the history of Turkey Foot Hollow (Shot Hollow) and bringing awareness to its significance. Their son, Terran “T-RAN” Gilbert, has used his platform to raise awareness about the importance of preserving the cemetery and the history of their family legacy, while his wife, Alexis Gilbert, has assisted with research organization and correspondence with local and state officials.

Together, the Gilbert family remains committed to ensuring that the history, culture, and contributions of Turkey Foot Hollow (Shot Hollow) are recognized, documented, and preserved for future generations.

“To understand why Johnson Cemetery matters, we must first understand the history of Turkey Foot Hollow,” Skieree Gilbert told attendees during the presentation. According to family records, historical accounts, and documented burials, Turkey Foot Hollow (Shot Hollow) existed long before the Civil War and was home to Indigenous Cherokee, black, and brown families living along what is now Chattanooga’s Highway 58 corridor. The community developed schools, churches, businesses, and civic institutions that served generations of residents.

Before Tennessee became a state and before the displacement caused by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) and the construction of the TNT plant, Turkey Foot Hollow (Shot Hollow) was a thriving community where families established homes, maintained burial traditions, built institutions, and sustained deep connections to the land.

One of the most significant surviving landmarks from that history is Johnson Cemetery, located near present-day Booker T. Washington State Park. Historical records indicate that the cemetery contains some of the earliest documented burials associated with the community, including Sarah Batcher, whose burial is recorded in 1816. Many additional graves remain unmarked or undocumented, suggesting that much of the area’s Indigenous Cherokee, black, and brown history has yet to be fully uncovered and preserved. 

According to family records and private historical sources, Willis and Eliza Johnson, an Indigenous Cherokee couple, purchased land in Turkey Foot Hollow (Shot Hollow) in 1867 from the estate of Colonel Lewis Shepherd, who was also Russell Gilbert’s fifth great-grandfather. In 1878, they formally preserved and re-established what had previously been known as Turkey Foot Cemetery, creating what is now known as Johnson Cemetery.

Today, Johnson Cemetery stands as one of the last surviving physical connections to Turkey Foot Hollow (Shot Hollow) and the generations of families who lived, worshipped, worked, and built community there. Russell and Terri Gilbert are now calling for formal historical recognition and preservation of both Johnson Cemetery and the broader history of Turkey Foot Hollow (Shot Hollow). Their vision includes historical markers, educational resources, enhanced maintenance, public awareness initiatives, and long-term protection of the cemetery as a sacred historical site.

“Johnson Cemetery is more than a cemetery,” the presentation concluded. “It is one of the last surviving physical connections to a historic town where Indigenous Cherokee, Black, and Brown people built institutions, preserved their culture, and created a lasting legacy. Our goal is not only to preserve a cemetery, but also to preserve the history of Turkey Foot Hollow (Shot Hollow) and honor the memory of the people who built it.”

As Chattanooga moves forward with its historic preservation planning process, Russell and Terri Gilbert hope that Turkey Foot Hollow (Shot Hollow) and Johnson Cemetery will finally receive the recognition, protection, and historical acknowledgment they deserve.