St. Elmo is probably the largest residential area of Chattanooga that has been designated a historical district. Both Fort Wood & Ferger Place share that distinction but each of those is a relatively small place. Not so, St. Elmo. Founded in 1885, St. Elmo was at one time it's very own little city on the way from Chattanooga to Chickamauga. It still retains its small town feel today. 
Like pretty much every historical area in Chattanooga, the Elmo has suffered from years of decay and urban blight (gee, I really get tired of writing that about all these neighborhoods) but it's on the rebound. About seven years ago, I looked at a wreck of a four square on Alabama Avenue that had been converted into a four-plex (not uncommon with some of these huge old places). When I told the owner - it was a FSBO - that I wanted to make him an offer, he said that they'd had so much interest that they wanted to hang onto it for a few more years. Original egg & dart mouldings, 10 ft tall pocket doors stored in the basement. Ahh, the stuff of historic home legend. I still wonder what might have been if I'd bought it (bankruptcy?)
But this isn't about me.
See that pretty little church over there to the right? That's Thankful Memorial Episcopal Church, named for one of St. Elmo's founding fathers (mothers?), Thankful Whiteside Johnson. Her husband bequeathed the land for the church with the stipulation that it be named for her. Colonel Abraham Johnson founded St. Elmo on land Thankful had inherited from her family and named it for a novel written by a friend of his wife, Augusta Evans. The author said the view of the new community from Lookout Mountain reminded her of the view of St. Elmo castle in Naples.
Besides its gracious old homes, St Elmo also has a thriving 'downtown' district that includes many local business, some owned by residents of St. Elmo. You'll also find 'America's Most Amazing Mile' here, long time Lookout Mountain landmark and attraction "The Incline Railway."
Think you might want to live in St. Elmo? For the adventurous you might have to reference my previous, buying a wreck post but there are also completely updated and gorgeously finished homes. Click here to check them out. 
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