Independent industrial-history museum

International Towing & Recovery Hall of Fame and Museum

About 0.6 mi north of the lower station

Add an independent transportation-history stop near the lower Incline station, centered on wreckers, towing technology, industry history, and remembrance.

The place

About International Towing & Recovery Hall of Fame and Museum

The International Towing & Recovery Hall of Fame and Museum interprets an industry with deep Chattanooga roots. Ernest Holmes Sr. developed an early tow-truck system after helping recover a friend's Model T and filed his patent in 1918; the later Ernest Holmes Company became a major local manufacturer.

The organization began in 1985 as the Friends of Towing, initially carrying displays to trade shows in a semi-trailer. It selected Chattanooga as a permanent home in 1995 and now combines a museum, hall of fame, industry archive, and Wall of the Fallen.

The self-guided collection includes more than 24 tow trucks ranging from 1913 to 2002, the world's largest toy tow-truck collection, vintage gas pumps, pedal cars, memorabilia, and named vehicles such as a 1929 Chrysler, 1950 Mack A Model, 1935 Ford with Weaver crane, and 1913 Cadillac.

The official plan page publishes daily 9 a.m.-5 p.m. hours and a 4:15 p.m. admissions cutoff. The reviewed pages do not publish a complete accessibility statement; exterior images show marked accessible parking, but visitors should call about the entrance, interior clearances, seating, restrooms, sensory needs, and service animals.

What stands out

Follow the wrecker timeline

Compare trucks from 1913 through 2002 to see how booms, cranes, controls, bodies, and recovery roles evolved.

Connect invention to Chattanooga

Use Ernest Holmes Sr.'s split-boom idea and local manufacturing story to understand why the museum settled here.

Respect the Wall of the Fallen

Treat the memorial as a place of remembrance for towing operators killed in the line of service.

Confirm access before arrival

Call about the exact public route and facilities because the reviewed official pages do not make a complete accessibility promise.

Pair it with the train

Why it belongs in a Lookout Mountain Incline Railway trip

The museum is about six-tenths of a mile north of the Incline's lower station and works as a 60-90 minute transportation-history bookend. It is independently operated, closes earlier than the Incline's current schedule, and stops admitting visitors at 4:15 p.m.

Before you go

Plan your visit

  • HoursOpen daily 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; admissions close at 4:15 p.m.
  • ClosuresClosed Easter Sunday, July 4, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day
  • Admission$12 adult; $10 senior 55+, military, or AAA; $8 child 6-14; age 5 and under free per ticket shop
  • Visit styleSelf-guided collection of more than 24 tow trucks plus toys, gas pumps, pedal cars, hall of fame, and memorial
  • Typical visitAllow about 60-90 minutes and arrive before the 4:15 p.m. admissions cutoff
  • Ticket pickupOnline admission tickets are pickup-only; bring the applicable ID for discounted variants
  • AccessibilityNo complete official access statement found; call about entrance, interior route, seating, restrooms, service animals, and sensory needs
  • GroupsThe museum welcomes school trips, car clubs, and bus tours; contact staff before bringing a group
  • LibraryThe on-site towing-industry library is available by appointment only

Continue by rail to the summit

Add Point Park at Lookout Mountain Battlefield

Use the Incline to reach a short walk from the independent National Park Service battlefield site.

View the guide →

Useful answers

Frequently asked questions

When is the Towing Museum open?

The official page lists daily 9 a.m.-5 p.m. hours, with admissions closing at 4:15 p.m. and six named holiday closures.

How much is admission?

$12 for adults, $10 for seniors 55+, military, and AAA, $8 for ages 6-14, and free for age 5 and under according to the ticket shop.

What is in the collection?

More than 24 tow trucks from 1913-2002, towing memorabilia, the world's largest toy tow-truck collection, vintage gas pumps, pedal cars, a hall of fame, and the Wall of the Fallen.

Is this part of the Incline Railway?

No. It is an independent museum near the lower station, with separate hours, admission, and operations.

Is the museum wheelchair-accessible?

The reviewed official pages do not publish a complete access statement. Call about the exact entrance, route, clearances, seating, and restrooms before travel.

Do online tickets expire?

The official ticket shop says admission tickets do not expire, are pickup-only, and require ID at the front desk where applicable.

How long should I allow?

Plan roughly 60-90 minutes for a self-guided visit, and arrive before the 4:15 p.m. admissions cutoff.

Trust and accuracy

Sources

Source checked 2026-08-15. This free guide has not yet been confirmed by the venue. Current hours, prices, services, and accessibility can change; confirm time-sensitive details directly.