7 Fun Facts About Nashville, Tennessee That You Never Knew
7 Fun Facts About Nashville, Tennessee That You Never Knew
Based in Tennessee, Music City has earned its name. With tourist attractions like Music City Convention Centre and the Grand Ole Opry, Nashville is one of the most culturally rich cities in the US.
Join us as we unravel 7 interesting facts about Nashville that you never knew.
Nashville is Named After a Revolutionary War General
The man in question is Patriot General Francis Nash. General Nash was a Revolutionary War hero who fell in battle. Not only did the city of Nashville earn his name, but Fort Nashborough is lovingly named after the General too.
The Designer of the Tennessee Capitol is Buried There
William Strickland is one of the greatest architects of American history. Arguably his greatest work was the Tennessee Capitol in Nashville. Such was his pride in it that he requested to be buried there when he passed, and his wish was granted.
Nashville’s Tin Pan South is the largest songwriter’s Festival on Earth
Remember how we said Nashville was known as Music City? Well, nothing exemplifies this more than the Tin Pan South Music Festival which runs this November 16-19. This festival is the single biggest songwriting festival on the face of the planet. The event is held by the NSAI (Nashville Songwriters Association International). It is renowned as one of the most amazing songwriting festivals of the modern era.
Nashville is the Home of “Old Glory”
Captain William Driver and his beloved flag. History enthusiasts know exactly what we are talking about; Old Glory. The driver was a shipmaster in Salem, Massachusetts. He used to save mutineers in the 1930s. When he did the job and completed the mission, the mutineers wanted to honor Driver. To do so, they presented him with a flag. Flustered, Driver exclaimed, "Old Glory!". Old Glory became a symbol of unity and coming together for the US army during the Civil War.
A Vanderbilt Student Helped Bring Guide Dogs to the US
Guide dogs were virtually unheard of in the States until the 1920s. That's when Morris Frank, a Vanderbilt student who was blind, went beyond the US to study whether dogs could help the visually impaired. In 1928, when he returned, Frank went to Nashville. There, he established “The Seeing Eye, Inc.”
Nashville is Home to a Rare Example of Egyptian Revival Architecture in the US
The Downtown Presbyterian Church in Nashville opened its doors in 1851. It is a unicorn of a structure designed in the Egyptian revival architecture style. The staples of this style include bold pillars, intricate stonework, and sharp angles. It is a must-visit for lovers of old-school architecture.
Nashville was the First to Desegregate Public Businesses
Some of the tensest and most controversial moments in American history have revolved around Nashville. Case in point: Nashville was the inaugural southern city to desegregate public businesses. It was an incredible milestone for Civil rights. Soon, more cities and states followed suit, which continued the struggle for desegregation and pushing for equal rights in America.