The ingenious foundryman John T. Cahill built a "neat two-story dwelling" on Pine between Fourth and Fifth in 1879. His father, the molder William Cahill, lived there. The brickmaker John W. Wells provided brick portions of the home, and a Mr. Dorn was the carpenter.

John Cahill was born in Lynchburg, Va., in 1855. His parents, William and Margaret Maher Cahill, were natives of Ireland who had moved to Chattanooga before the Civil War.

John Cahill learned the foundry trade at the foundry of Thomas Webster on King Street. When Webster decided to close his foundry at the end of 1874, the 19-year-old Cahill acquired many of the patterns. He first rented a small frame building on Railroad Avenue for his foundry. Power was secured from the nearby planing mill of McArdle and Dunning. Cahill soon bought a lot from Col. A.M. Johnson at the corner of Boyce (South Chestnut) and Hooke (13th Street) and moved his foundry there in 1880. A building that was 200x218 feet was erected.

Cahill invented a new type of water box and the popular Cahill grate. He was the first ironmaster in the South to manufacture marbelized cast iron works. The Cahill firm's specialties were mantels and household fixtures.

John Cahill married Ellen Burchell of Knoxville in 1881. The Cahills lived on Boyce near his foundry. However, by 1887 he was occupying a new home at 124 College St. where several charming homes were being built in this "very desirable part of the city" on College Hill - just down from Cameron Hill. His neighbors included Harriet Whiteside Gaskill, who in 1879 had "two neat cottages" built on College Street.

John J. Mahoney, a Cahill relative, came to Chattanooga to work at the foundry.

Mahoney was born in Baltimore in 1858. His father, William Mahoney, was a native of Ireland. His mother was Catherine Cahill Mahoney. William Mahoney was a Confederate veteran and he owned and operated a fleet of drays. The Mahoney family lived in Philadelphia before moving to Chattanooga in 1870. The Mahoneys returned to Philadelphia when his mother became ill.

John T. Cahill at a young age suffered from failing health, and he sold part of his business. The new partners were Frank H. Caldwell and Frank Whiteside. John J. Mahoney agreed to return from Philadelphia to become the general manager of the reorganized Cahill Foundry. Mahoney had married Mary Langley, a native of Manchester, England, in 1882. The Mahoneys also lived on College Street.

John T. Cahill went to California to try a different climate. However, Chattanoogans were saddened to learn that on June 27, 1889, the genius foundryman had died at the age of 33. John J. Mahoney then took over the Cahill operation.

James W. Edwards, who was a brick contractor along with S.E. Frankhouse, later lived at the Cahill home at 405 Pine St. Bernard T. Perkins, a pharmacist, was one of the last residents of 405 Pine. 

No photos have yet been found of the Cahill homes on Cameron Hill.

Here is the latest Hamilton County arrest report: BELL, JACQUELYN CARMELA 314 MCBRIEN RD CHATTANOOGA, 374114822 Age at Arrest: 61 years old Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD THEFT OF ... (click for more)

Chattanooga firefighters rescued a woman who was injured in a bicycle wreck on Guild-Hardy Trail near Ruby Falls on Friday afternoon. At 1:08 p.m., units responded to the side of Lookout Mountain ... (click for more)

A preliminary report from the National Transportation Safety Board cites weather as the main factor in a Sept. 5 crash in Bradley County that claimed the life of pilot Dr. William Edward Gist ... (click for more)

Here is the latest Hamilton County arrest report: BELL, JACQUELYN CARMELA 314 MCBRIEN RD CHATTANOOGA, 374114822 Age at Arrest: 61 years old Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD THEFT OF PROPERTY (CONDUCT INVOLV.MERCHANDISE) DRUGS GENERAL CATEGORY FOR RESALE POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA BLANK, BENJAMIN HERMANN 4490 5TH AVE NW NAPLES, 34119 Age at Arrest: 19 ... (click for more)

Chattanooga firefighters rescued a woman who was injured in a bicycle wreck on Guild-Hardy Trail near Ruby Falls on Friday afternoon. At 1:08 p.m., units responded to the side of Lookout Mountain after the woman riding her mountain bike crashed and fell, injuring her foot and ankle. It happened approximately a half mile down the trail. Quint 14, Quint 3, Squad 1, Battalion ... (click for more)

As a Black man, I will shed no tears or express any concern over Rheubin Taylor being asked to resign as the attorney for Hamilton County. What has been the legacy and contribution of Rheubin Taylor to the Black community of Chattanooga during his time in public office both as a Commissioner on the Council, and as Hamilton County Attorney? I am prepared to debate ... (click for more)

There is an old saying in football circles that “It isn’t far from the penthouse to the outhouse.” Nothing could be more true about today’s plight of Jimbo Fisher and his Texas A&M football team after the Aggies were shockingly tumbled from sixth in the AP College Poll to 24th following a 17-14 upset by lightly regarded Appalachian State last weekend. Fisher signed the No. ... (click for more)

The 9th-ranked Chattanooga Mocs are headed home. Not just the team, but Mocs near and far return for Homecoming Weekend. From former walk ons to NFL Hall of Famers, the band is about to be back together. The alums get a close look at a 2-0 squad that tees off Saturday at 6 p.m., against North Alabama. This is the return affair after last year’s 20-0 win in Florence. The Mocs ... (click for more)

Lee coach Chris Hennessey was right on target when he praised the play of freshman goalkeeper Josie Taylor. Under constant fire from a determined Mississippi College team in the second half, Taylor came up with nine saves to help the Lady Flames defeat the Lady Choctaws 2-0. “Josie came up big in the second half,” commented Hennessey. “She is just a freshman, and she will keep ... (click for more)