Ooltewah, founded in 1856 and referred to as the "citadel of temperance," flourished as the seat of justice for James County, Tennessee. The name Ooltewah, by tradition means "Owl's Nest" or resting place. The Ooltewah Depot was built in 1882. Ooltewah's rapid transit system was a valuable asset to the thriving town during its early history and James County era. It relieved the rail congestion in Chattanooga by speeding up services to the Southeast and Northeast. It was the main carrier in the South with dispatching and telegraph services traversing all the Southern states. By 1919 after much controversy and then bankruptcy, James County was considered a "lost county." It holds the distinction of being the first county in the United States to be consolidated with another - the present Hamilton County .

In 1976 Southern Railway ordered the Ooltewah Depot to be closed and removed from its first home at the "V" of the junction after automatic electronic switching devices had been installed in its system. In that same year Southern Railway donated the depot to the Old James County Historical Society for restoration and permanent location. In April, 1986 the depot was lovingly transported to the beautiful and progressive campus of Ooltewah High School . The restoration has been done as nearly as possible to the original in both material and workmanship.

The artist of the "Ooltewah Depot", Jim Jordan, has a very personal feeling for his latest work, which bears the official Tennessee Homecoming '86 seal. Having lived in the Ooltewah area, and with both his children graduating from the Ooltewah High School , he finds this picture a very special work of love. He wanted to return to this historic community a portion of the peacefulness and beauty he has found there.