The Chattanooga airport is named Lovell Field and is reached via Shepard Rd., but neither has anything to do with astronauts.
The airport was named in 1929 in honor of John Lovell, and was a farm owned by Dr. J.B. Haskings along South Chickamauga Creek at Chickamauga, Tennessee. The farm cost the city $29,000. The address changed to Shepherd, Tennessee by 1940.
John Lovell was apparently a real estate investor, but I can’t find much on him, for all that the airport is named for him.
There are only 5 little gates, and I had all 6 TSA agents to myself when I went through. It was so nice not to feel like I had to get out laptop, shoes, changes, tickets, ID, etc. at breakneck speed b/c I’m holding up the line.
John Lovell was one of the premier business and commercial leaders in Chattanooga in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. In addition to chairing the local committee for the Lee Highway Association, he became the “father of Chattanooga aviation” through his support for the industry here in Chattanooga. Owner and promoter of many other enterprises, Lovell was African-American.
Addendum to the above: Everything I said is true except that this particular John Lovell, John E. Lovell, was not African-American. The other John Lovell, John S. Lovell, also from Chattanooga, was indeed African-American.
Chuck, that is a major addendum. What made you add it? Where did you get your info?