HISTORY OF SOUTH
NASHVILLE
NASHVILLE
The End Of An Era
The hardy group of settlers led by James Robertson crossed the frozen Cumberland River and
climbed the river banks at French Lick ( located near the Old Stock Yards) on an icy November
day in 1779. This group began what was to become Fort Nashborough. The area to the south
which was to become known as South Nashville was nothing more than wilderness and hunting
grounds for both the Indians and settlers. Some of the time, they were hunting each other in
this area. The nearest settlers were the Demombreums on the banks of the Cumberland near
present day Donelson, the small band of French traders at French Lick, and a few settlers were
later located at what was known as Buchanan’s Station on the trace near present-day Elm
Hill Pike. 66
climbed the river banks at French Lick ( located near the Old Stock Yards) on an icy November
day in 1779. This group began what was to become Fort Nashborough. The area to the south
which was to become known as South Nashville was nothing more than wilderness and hunting
grounds for both the Indians and settlers. Some of the time, they were hunting each other in
this area. The nearest settlers were the Demombreums on the banks of the Cumberland near
present day Donelson, the small band of French traders at French Lick, and a few settlers were
later located at what was known as Buchanan’s Station on the trace near present-day Elm
Hill Pike. 66
The settlers found that the rich bottom land in the area along what is now Broad Street and
First Avenue was some of the richest farmland for growing crops. Several acres were planted
and harvested in great danger to their lives from Indian attacks as they worked. Several settlers
would stand guard as the others harvested. This rich bottomland had very black soil, and the
area later became known as "Black Bottom." It was the tales that James Robertson took back to
North Carolina of cornstalks growing more than nine feet tall in this area that lured many of
the early settlers to make the long journey from Hillsborough, North Carolina and from the
Watauga Settlement to the banks of the Cumberland in Middle Tennessee. Black Bottom
,located between College Hill and Broad Street, would retain this name until the mid 1950’s.
First Avenue was some of the richest farmland for growing crops. Several acres were planted
and harvested in great danger to their lives from Indian attacks as they worked. Several settlers
would stand guard as the others harvested. This rich bottomland had very black soil, and the
area later became known as "Black Bottom." It was the tales that James Robertson took back to
North Carolina of cornstalks growing more than nine feet tall in this area that lured many of
the early settlers to make the long journey from Hillsborough, North Carolina and from the
Watauga Settlement to the banks of the Cumberland in Middle Tennessee. Black Bottom
,located between College Hill and Broad Street, would retain this name until the mid 1950’s.
Much of South Nashville’s early history is tied to Educational and Medical facilities to later
locate in this area. Even before final plans for the city had been decided, Tennessee passed
legislation that the then fledgling school of Davidson Academy, which was in makeshift
quarters six miles to the northeast of town, be located on 100 tax-free acres on the hill one mile
south of town. This hill would eventually become known as College Hill and later Rutledge
Hill. At the turn of the century, Davidson Academy combined with Cumberland College.
Phillip Lindsley arrived in 1824 from to head the new institution. Lindsley Avenue was later
named for this prominent educational leader. Under Lindsley’s leadership, legislation was
passed that established a University of Nashville and small Cumberland College became the
University of Nashville in 1826.
locate in this area. Even before final plans for the city had been decided, Tennessee passed
legislation that the then fledgling school of Davidson Academy, which was in makeshift
quarters six miles to the northeast of town, be located on 100 tax-free acres on the hill one mile
south of town. This hill would eventually become known as College Hill and later Rutledge
Hill. At the turn of the century, Davidson Academy combined with Cumberland College.
Phillip Lindsley arrived in 1824 from to head the new institution. Lindsley Avenue was later
named for this prominent educational leader. Under Lindsley’s leadership, legislation was
passed that established a University of Nashville and small Cumberland College became the
University of Nashville in 1826.
Most of city of Nashville in the early 1800’s lay within the boundaries of the River to east, the
railroad gulch to the west, Jo Johnson Street to the north and Broad Street to the South.
Almost all mercantile activity was limited to the public square and the wharf at the end of lower
Broad. The outlying areas from this region were small farms and large estates. The largest
being the Hermitage eight miles to the south, but other estates were rapidly being built as the
prosperity of the region increased. Expansion of the city was limited to the north by a large
flood plain and to the west by the low lying railroad gulch. Although some businesses located to
the east across the river, most did not thrive and the eastern section became mainly residential
in nature. Summer homes and estates were mainly established there such as the Shelby estate
of Fatherland and Boscobel.
railroad gulch to the west, Jo Johnson Street to the north and Broad Street to the South.
Almost all mercantile activity was limited to the public square and the wharf at the end of lower
Broad. The outlying areas from this region were small farms and large estates. The largest
being the Hermitage eight miles to the south, but other estates were rapidly being built as the
prosperity of the region increased. Expansion of the city was limited to the north by a large
flood plain and to the west by the low lying railroad gulch. Although some businesses located to
the east across the river, most did not thrive and the eastern section became mainly residential
in nature. Summer homes and estates were mainly established there such as the Shelby estate
of Fatherland and Boscobel.
Available open land in downtown Nashville was becoming more scarce and several cemeteries
in the downtown area were moved in 1822 to the new city cemetery at the present site on Cedar
Street (4th Avenue) and Oak. The hill on the river bluff to the south provided an excellent
place to relocate the old overburdened city waterworks from downtown, and the new waterworks
was opened in 1832. This new waterworks location later became the site for the Nashville
General Hospital. Until then, the south Nashville area relied mainly on various springs to
provide the necessary drinking water which was collected in buckets or brought around by
horse and wagon for a small fee.
in the downtown area were moved in 1822 to the new city cemetery at the present site on Cedar
Street (4th Avenue) and Oak. The hill on the river bluff to the south provided an excellent
place to relocate the old overburdened city waterworks from downtown, and the new waterworks
was opened in 1832. This new waterworks location later became the site for the Nashville
General Hospital. Until then, the south Nashville area relied mainly on various springs to
provide the necessary drinking water which was collected in buckets or brought around by
horse and wagon for a small fee.
by James W. Stephens
c. 1997cc
c. 1997cc