Heritage Point Fields To Be Renamed In Memory Of Late Dalton Mayor

Friday, September 12th, 2025

At their upcoming meeting Monday, the Dalton Mayor and Council will consider a resolution to rename the athletic fields at Heritage Point Park in memory of the late James "Jim" Andrew Middleton. Middleton, a longtime public servant and former mayor of Dalton, passed away on June 4th, 2024 at the age of 88.  If approved, Resolution 25-16 would rename the baseball and softball fields at Heritage Point Park as "The Jim Middleton Fields at Heritage Point Park." 

Jim Middleton was born in Illinois before being raised in Whitfield County and graduating in 1953 from Dalton High School. He graduated from the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga with a degree in business administration and worked as a business office manager at Hamilton Medical Center before devoting the majority of his career to the carpet sample business. He also worked in insurance and financial planning. According to his family, his true passion was for public service. Middleton served as a member of the Civil Service Commission (which is now known as the Public Safety Commission) from 1973 until 1984. He was later elected to the city council and then served three terms as mayor from 1988-2000. 

Caption: An illustration shows the late Mayor Jim Middleton with the new turf fields at Heritage Point Park that are set to be renamed in his memory

Honoring Middleton's memory with the dedication of athletic fields is especially appropriate given his dedication to improving the Dalton's parks during his time as mayor. As former Parks and Recreation Director Ronnie Nix pointed out after Middleton's passing, he was instrumental in the creation of some of Dalton's best-loved parks. Al Rollins Park was completed during his first term, and while the park was not completed before his time in office was done, the land that would become Heritage Point Park was purchased during his tenure. 

“Mayor Middleton was a true advocate for the citizens of Dalton. Heritage Point Park is part of his legacy and it’s fitting that the fields there will now carry his name," said Mayor Annalee Sams. "Our city is most certainly a better place for having had the privilege of Jim Middleton’s leadership.”

If the resolution is approved Monday, there will be a formal ceremony to dedicate the fields in Middleton's honor at a later date to be determined.