Nashville Off The Beaten Path

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During the Music City Trolley Hop the second time around, the driver lets us get out and take some photo's of Carillons and the Court of 3 Stars.

The Court of 3 Stars is a focal point of the park located at the northern end near Jefferson Street. Made of red, white and blue granite, this area represents the three Grand Divisions of the state - East, Middle and West Tennessee. This is also the site of a 95-bell carillon representing Tennessee's musical heritage. The 95 bells represent the citizens of Tennessee's 95 counties. A 96th bell, known as the answer bell, is located on the grounds of the State Capitol and rings in answer to the 95 bells, symbolizing government answering to the people. The carillons are some of the largest in the world. They play Tennessee-themed songs at the top of the hour, every hour.

Tennessee Flags
Located on each end of the River Walk are clusters of Tennessee flags. Each cluster contains one large 12 x 18-foot flag, and eight smaller 5 x 8-foot flags for a total of 18 Tennessee flags. The 16 small flags represent Tennessee being the 16th state admitted to the Union June 1, 1796. The two large flags represent the state's bicentennial celebration.

The American flag is not flown in the mall since the park is an extension of the State Capitol, which flies the American flag high above the Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park.

Pathway of History
Along the west side of the park, a 1,400-foot Wall of History is engraved with historic events that have occurred over the past two centuries. A granite pylon marks each ten-year period along the wall. The wall 'breaks' at the time of the Civil War to represent the divisive nature of the war on the state.http://www.tn.gov/environment/parks/Bicentennial/historical/index.shtml#mapplaza

Located at Bicentennial Mall State Park 600 James Robertson Parkway Nashville, TN 37243

When your exploring the downtown area, just look up and you cannot miss it. Built 1984, at 617 ft (188 m), a 33-story skyscraper and the tallest building in Tennessee.

Owned by Prefco XIV L.P. and built at the cost of $106 Million. Privately owned office building with one of the highest assessed values in Tennessee, the BellSouth tower in downtown Nashville is owned by a Pitney Bowes Real Estate Financing Corp. (PREFCO) limited partnership. Built on 2.7 acres and spanning 30 floors and a nine-level under- ground parking garage, the building houses the Tennessee headquarters of Atlanta-based BellSouth, which signed a 23.5-year lease that concludes in January 2020. The 10-year-old building was constructed at the corner of Commerce Street and Fourth Avenue and includes 690,297 square feet of space.http://businesstn.com/content/land-their-land

LeQuire writes, "Dance is the physical expression of music and the piece is intended to convey that feeling to the viewer in a composition which is simple, exuberant and celebratory. The theme of the sculpture is music, because of the historical and economic significance of the site. This is the heart of Music Row, the area and the artistic activity for which Nashville is best known.http://www.alanlequire.com/musica.shtml

We saw this on the Trolley Tour and there were many snickers about how he said someone puts clothes on them from time to time. It is quite a lovely statue.

Located at Take the I-40/I-65 downtown exit for Broadway, then head south along the interstate on 14th Ave. It will veer to the right, then turn right on Division St. The sculpture is in the traffic circle at the intersection of Division St. and 16th Ave. S.

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RCA Records established a recording studio in this building in Novemeber 1957, with local offices run by quitarist-producer Chet Atkins. Its success led to a larger studio, known as Studio A, built next door in 1964. Studio B recorded numerous hits by Elvis Presley, the Everly Brothers, Roy Orbinson, Don Gibson, Charley Pride, Jim Reeves, Dolly Parton, and many others. Along with Bradley Studios, Studio B is known for developing "The Nashville Sound."

Located at 30 Music Square West, Nashville TN 37203

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The plaque reads:

A native of Nashville.
Forty-eight years in the service
of the Nashville, Chattanooga &
St. Louis Railway;
President for twenty-two years.
President of the
Tennessee Centennial Exposition,
which resulted in securing
to Nashville this Park.
A worthy man in all the lines of life.
An efficient man of affairs.
An upright and eminent citizen.
A Christian and a gentleman.
A friend and a brother.
This memorial is erected by the employees of the
Nashville, Chattanooga & St. Louis Railway.
- 1907 -

Erected 1907 by Employees of the Nashville, Chattanooga & St. Louis Railway.

Located next to the Parthenon 2600 West End Avenue, Nashville TN 37203

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The plaque reads:
The hill to the west was a strong point in the system of permanent Federal defenses, started in 1862, which extended to the river on both sides of town. Artillery was emplaced here from time to time.

Erected by Tennessee Historical Commission. (Marker Number N-13.)

Located at Located at 2600 West End Ave, Nashville TN 37203

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The plaque reads:

The world’s only replica of the Parthenon, epitome of Greek culture, was the central building at Tennessee’s Centennial Exposition, May 1 thru October 31, 1897. The original temple, dedicated to Athena, Greek Goddess of Wisdom occupied the most scared area in ancient Greece, the crest of the Acropolis, a hill overlooking Athens.

Major Eugene C. Lewis, director of the Centennial believed that a reproduction of the Greek masterwork to serve as a gallery of fine arts would inspire a love of beauty and a spirit of excellence. Colonel William C. Smith served as architect and George J. Zolnay, sculptor. Contractor for the building was Edward Laurent with Foster and Creighton contracting for the foundation.

The reception of the Centennial – It was the first exposition in the nation to be both an artistic and financial success – and public response to the Parthenon indicated, that although it was made of temporary materials, it should be reconstructed on a permanent basis. Construction was started in 1921, the exterior completed in 1925, but due to the lack to funds. It was not until May 20, 1931, that the Parthenon as it stands today was opened to the public.

Hart, Freeland and Roberts, with William B. Dinsmoor consulting, served as architects George J. Zolnay, Leopold Scholz and Belle Linney Scholz,


By Denise Boose, July 11, 2012
2. The Parthenon Marker

sculptors. Foster and Creighton were general contractors, others who contributed to the work included John J. Early Company, General Bronze Corporation, John Bouchard and Sons, Herbrice and Lawrence H.E. Parmer, J.J. Hutchinson and Son, J.O. Kirkpatrick, Charles A. Howell Art Mosaic and Tile Company and A. T. Kanaday.

Board of Park Commissioners
Robert M. Dudley
M.T. Bryan
Lee J. Loventhal
W.R. Cole
Robert T. Creighton
Charles M. McCabe
Percy Warner
Rogers Coldwell
J.R.W. Brown
Edwin Warner

Located at 2600 West End Ave, Nashville TN 37203

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The plaque reads:

The Marathon Motor Car was manufactured here 1914-1916 by Southern Motor Works (later called Marathon). Four models, all touring cars, were powered by engines of 4 cylinders, 30/35 hp, & 6s of 50 hp, with wheelbases from 9'8" to 12'5". The plant closed operations in 1914 due to financial difficulties but continued a parts & service business until 1918.

Erected 1979 by The Historical Commission of Metropolitan Nashville and Davidson County.

Located at Marathon Village 1305 Clinton Street Nashville, TN 37203