10 Facts About PR Olgiati

Peter Rudolph "Rudy" Olgiati was the 55th Mayor of Chattanooga, Tennessee from 1951 to 1963.

PR Olgiati is often accused of being one of Chattanooga's last political bosses.

PR Olgiati briefly attended the Chicago Technical Institute before going to work at the Chattanooga Glass Company.

PR Olgiati then moved on to a career in construction as a bricklayer, later working his way up to the position of superintendent.

PR Olgiati served as Mayor of Chattanooga for 4 terms from 1951 to 1963.

PR Olgiati ran in the race for the Democratic Nomination for Governor of Tennessee in 1962, but lost to the incumbent Buford Ellington.

PR Olgiati lost the 1963 election for Mayor of Chattanooga as well.

PR Olgiati's request was granted, and he oversaw the modernization of many aspects of Chattanooga.

PR Olgiati oversaw the widening of several downtown roads, conversion of many streets to one-way to help with traffic flow, and the building of a second tunnel through Missionary Ridge.

PR Olgiati stressed the fact that Chattanooga was a perfect point for connecting the cities of Atlanta, Nashville, Knoxville, and Birmingham.