The Chattanooga Lookouts will open their 2025 season on Tuesday, April 8. In honor of Opening Day, we’re taking a look back at the early history of the team.

Earlier this year, UTC Library’s Special Collections published its “Sandy Sandlin Chattanooga Lookouts Photographs” collection, which contains photographs, memorabilia, papers, newspaper clippings, and more from 1912 to 1987.

Materials were gathered by the late Davis “Sandy” Sandlin, who served as UTC’s athletic trainer for nearly 40 years. During the summer months between 1938 to1965, he worked alongside the Lookouts as their lead athletic trainer + traveling secretary.

The collection ranges from featuring players who may have only played one season with the Lookouts to notable players like Bobo Newsom and Rogers Hornsby.
You can view the full collection online, but here are a few of our favorite pieces:

Joe Engel portrait | The team’s long-time club president Joe Engel was presented with the King of Baseball award in 1960.
Composite photograph | This photograph shows the staff + players from 1932 when the Lookouts won the Southern League Championship.
Group portrait | This team photo was taken in 1937 + Sandy Sandlin is visible standing in the back row to the far right.
Engel Stadium postcard | This undated postcard shows the former Engel Stadium where the Lookouts played until 2000.

Bonus: Ready to see the Lookouts in the present day? Check out our need-to-know guide for enjoying a game.