Building on Hollow Ground
Where is Hicks Branch Mine?
Hicks Branch Mine is an abandoned underground coal mine located off of Sawyer Pike near Vandergriff Road in Signal Mountain, Tennessee. Historic coal mining occurred here from at least the mid-20th century, likely leaving extensive underground excavations and surface features that may still pose dangers today. It is located south of North Chickamauga Creek, east of Hicks Branch, and west of Vandergriff Road.
In 2021, Urban Story Ventures purchased over 500 acres of land on Corral Road, originally rumored for development of a boutique hotel or golf course. The land has changed hands twice — first to Buy Dirt, LLC in 2023, then to Walker Road Holdings, LLC in January 2025. Subdivision plans submitted by engineering firm Ragan-Smith propose subdividing the initial 128 acres into 112 home lots on traditional septic systems. The project’s permits and environmental assessments were funded by affiliates of GreenTech Homes.
Multiple historical maps clearly show the Hicks Branch Mine and a nearby, unnamed mine.
Historical Area Mining Details Maps
TDEC/TVA Coal Resource Maps
Mines & Subdivision Overlay
Information & TDEC Area Mine Map
A 2023 Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) Abandoned Mine Lands Section Report documented hazards from multiple abandoned mines still present in the area:
open and partially open mine portals as large as 3.5ft x 5ft
portals which extend “dozens of feet” underground, with unknown stability
mine highwalls towering over 15ft with steep near-vertical drop-offs
evidence of water flow over highwalls raises further concerns about erosion and structural weakening
Developing over abandoned coal mines is inherently risky — subsidence, collapsing voids, and shifting ground can damage homes, roads, and infrastructure decades after construction. What looks like solid ground may in fact be hollowed out beneath the surface. Once disturbed, these hazards can worsen, endangering both residents and the environment.
Take Action.
Take Action.
Before any construction proceeds, there must be a geotechnical assessment of the property — to ensure the safety of future residents and the protection of our community.
These mines are a legacy of the past, but building over them without proper safeguards risks turning them into a disaster of the future.
Speak up. Contact local officials.
Demand that this development be paused until the dangers are fully understood and addressed.
Contact Your County Commissioners:
district1@hamiltontn.gov, district2@hamiltontn.gov, district3@hamiltontn.gov, district4@hamiltontn.gov, district5@hamiltontn.gov, district6@hamiltontn.gov, district7@hamiltontn.gov, district8@hamiltontn.gov, district9@hamiltontn.gov, district10@hamiltontn.gov, district11@hamiltontn.gov
