Thomas Crutchfield Sr.

Crutchfield was born in Rockbridge County, Virginia and later moved to Greenville, Tennessee.[1] He moved to Chattanooga in the 1830s during the removal and relocation of the Cherokee population.[2] He assisted in the first survey of the city and helped to clear and layout the city's streets.[2][3] He then established a brick kiln with his brother-in-law near the Tennessee River.[2] He established one of the first hotels in the city,[2] the Crutchfield House, directly across from the Union Depot.[4] It quickly became a gathering place for local politicians and leaders.[3] In 1848, he was elected mayor serving in 1849.[2] While mayor he presided over the rapid expansion of the city and lobbied for Chattanooga to be the northern terminus of the Western and Atlantic Railroad being built Georgia.[2] In 1850, he died while traveling to Nashville.[2] He was succeeded by former mayor Milo Smith.

He was married to Sarah Cleage; they had four children.[1]

His son, Thomas Crutchfield Jr. would later serve as mayor in 1859.[3] His son, William Crutchfield represented the 3rd congressional district of Tennessee in the United States House of Representatives for one term (1873–1875).