Chattanooga Has Proposed Renaming Cannon Avenue
The city aims to honor former Councilman and civil rights activist Leamon Pierce with a street designation.
Updated on Sept. 25, 2026 in Openings & Closings
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Chattanooga officials have introduced a resolution to rename Cannon Avenue in honor of Leamon Pierce. Pierce was a pioneering civil rights activist and the first Black professional bail bondsman in the city.
Why it matters
Renaming the street recognizes Pierce's lasting contributions to the local community, including his dual legacy as an entrepreneur and a leader in the struggle for civil rights.
The proposed change affects Cannon Avenue from the 2300 block at Rossville Boulevard to the 2800 block at Doyle Street. Leamon Pierce established his legacy as an entrepreneur when he founded Liberty Bonding Company in 1974.
The players
Leamon Pierce
He was a former City Councilman and civil rights activist who became the city's first Black professional bail bondsman.
Doris Jean Johnson
She was a fellow civil rights activist who joined Pierce in protesting at a whites-only lunch counter in 1960.
Booker Scruggs
He was a civil rights activist who accompanied Pierce and Johnson during the 1960 lunch counter demonstration.
The details
The city seeks to rename the corridor to honor Pierce, a figure who famously participated in a 1960 lunch counter protest alongside Doris Jean Johnson and Booker Scruggs. The resolution is currently before the City Council for official consideration.
Timeline
In 1960, Leamon Pierce participated in a lunch counter protest.
In 1974, Pierce founded the Liberty Bonding Company.
On September 25, 2026, the city announced the plans for the street renaming.
Market Landscape
The effort to rename Cannon Avenue follows the precedent set by the 1960 Chattanooga lunch counter sit-ins as a way to formalize historical memory in the urban landscape. This designation shifts how the city recognizes its past activists compared to traditional monuments.
Residents and business owners located on the 2300 to 2800 blocks of Cannon Avenue should anticipate potential changes to their mailing addresses and signage. The city will provide further details on administrative transitions should the council approve the renaming.
The takeaway
Public renaming initiatives serve as a tangible way for cities to acknowledge the contributions of historical figures in the fight for equality. Residents can monitor future City Council agendas to stay informed on the final approval process for this transition.
Further reading
Learn more about local changes in the Chattanooga Openings & Closings section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Chattanoogan.
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