Ross's Landing is the former name of Chattanooga, TN. It was named for John Ross

John Ross (Cherokee chief)

John Ross , also known as Guwisguwi , was Principal Chief of the Cherokee Native American Nation from 1828–1866...

, the Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation

Cherokee Nation

The Cherokee Nation is the largest of three Cherokee federally recognized tribes in the United States. It was established in the 20th century, and includes people descended from members of the old Cherokee Nation who relocated voluntarily from the Southeast to Indian Territory and Cherokees who...

. In 1816 Ross settled at the site along the Tennessee River

Tennessee River

The Tennessee River is the largest tributary of the Ohio River. It is approximately 652 miles long and is located in the southeastern United States in the Tennessee Valley. The river was once popularly known as the Cherokee River, among other names...

 above Chattanooga Creek and established Ross's Landing as a trading post

Trading post

A trading post was a place or establishment in historic Northern America where the trading of goods took place. The preferred travel route to a trading post or between trading posts, was known as a trade route....

. Ross also operated a swing ferry across the river that was anchored on McClellan Island.

In 1837–1838 Cherokee removal began, known as the Trail of Tears

Trail of Tears

The Trail of Tears is a name given to the forced relocation and movement of Native American nations from southeastern parts of the United States following the Indian Removal Act of 1830...

. The Cherokee were driven from their homes in several southeastern states and were relocated at various camps, including Ross's Landing, for expulsion to Oklahoma. As a result, the name of Ross's Landing was changed to Chattanooga by the U.S. Post Office in 1838.

Today, Ross's Landing has been memorialized as a river park on the banks of the Tennessee River where the city of Chattanooga was established.