Nashville Off The Beaten Path

We had a few hours to kill between our wonderful lunch and flight, so we coaxed my niece to drive us out to a place where we could work off a few calories and enjoy some scenery. She opted for Radnor Lake, which has a variety of interesting trails. We simply ambled around the lake's circumference, but in the process we got to see deer coming down to wade in the boggy surrounds, and a large variety of birds and small woodland critters. It was great to stretch our legs, but I could see there was plenty more to explore (including a waterfall, apparently, although it was too far for us to venture).

Park: 6:00 a.m. to Dark
Visitors Center: daily
Sunday-Monday: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Tuesday-Thursday: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Friday-Saturday: 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.

4 more images

The plaque reads: On Monday, April 24, 1780, two pioneers, James Robertson and John Donelson, shook hands upon the completion of a reunion at the site on which you now stand. Each man, one by land, the other by water, played out in a two-fold plan for a new settlement that grew into present-day Nashville. Robertson, at the head of his mounted band of 226 frontiersmen, traversed the long, circuitous overland route through Kentucky and Tennessee down to the Great Salt Lick. His group arrived on Christmas Day, 1779, about the time that Donelson’s flotilla left Fort Patrick Henry, and at once set about preparing a place for the boatmen, women, and children who were to join them later. Robertson, as one of the earliest and most resourceful frontiersmen of early Tennessee history, had long realized that the rolling country and rich bottom-land of middle Tennessee would be an ideal location for a settlement. Although much warfare and violence were inevitable, it was his ability to deal with the Indians and their mutual respect and admiration for him that made this venture possible. He said, “we are the advance guard; our way is westward across the continent.” But civilization could only begin with the river-borne families that were to come in the spring. In four months these families floated the entire extent of the Tennessee River, then turned north to the Ohio and came up the Cumberland to the Great Salt Lick - a 1000-mile trip unequalled in the annals of American history. This flotilla was headed by the courageous Colonel John Donelson on his flagship Adventure. He triumphed over freezing weather, the treacheries of a river at the highest in its history, pestilence, and savage Indians to reach his April rendezvous. This achievement has immortalized his name, for he managed it so well that no man could have done it better. His responsibilities were great because he had in his charge a large percentage of non-combatants.

In this memorial group each man stands as a representative of the hardy souls he led to fulfill a magnificent destiny. In this historic handshake each brave pioneer finds his place in history. No city should be indifferent to its founding, no people to its history, especially when so full of heroic action and noble deeds as is the history of Nashville. If space were available the name of every signer of the Cumberland Compact should be here; these two men stand witness to their toil and devotion.

This statue, commissioned by Mayor Ben West in 1962, was erected here in the fort where they met the flowering spring day of long ago. This statue is intended to keep their memory green and our love for them tender and profound. These men are the trees; we are their fruit.

Located at 170 1st Avenue North Nashville, TN 37201

1 more image

I'm listing this club as "Off the Beaten Path" because it's a private club and being such I guess the average person can't just waltz in. It is located in the Gaylord Entertainment Complex in downtown Nashville across the street from the Country Music Hall of Fame. Incidentally, the Gaylord Entertainment Complex also houses Nashville's NHL hockey team, The Predators, and this club is often used by members of the team, as well as its management and season ticket holders.

I managed to end up here at a private Super Bowl Party during my stay in Nashville and I have to say that it's rather nice, so if you ever have the chance to go, go!

4 more images

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

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.

2 more images

The plaque reads:

In 1955, brothers Owen and Harold Bradley built a recording studio in the basement of a house on this site. They added another studio here in an army Quonset Hut, producing hits by Patsy Cline, Red Foley, Brenda Lee, Marty Robbins, Sonny James, and others. Columbia Records purchased the studios in 1962. The studio established its reputation in the music industry with hits by stars including Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan, Roger Miller, George Jones, and Tammy Wynette.

Donated by the Mike Curb Foundation, The Historical Commission of Metropollitan Nashville and Davidson County No. 140 Erected 2011

Located at 34 Music Square West, Nashville TN 37203

3 more images

The plaque reads:

In honor of
Colonel James Robertson
Born 1742 in Virginia
Died 1814 in Tennessee

He came from eastern North Carolina to the Watauga Settlement in what is now eastern Tennessee 1769-1770, where he was a leader in Civil and Indian Affairs.

Conducted the "Land Party" of settlers to the French Lick in 1779-1780, built this fort Nashborough and defended it in all the various Indian attacks. Remained with the colony when many had forsaken it during a period of great stress, suffering and discouragement, and gave to it a whole life-time of patriotic service.

The verdict of history well entitles him the name of: "The Father of West (now Middle) Tennessee" and the "Founder of Nashville."

"He possessed to an eminent degree the confidence and esteem of all his contemporaries, and merited all the eulogium and affection which the most ardent of his countrymen have ever bestowed upon him.. His services in peace and war are gratefully remembered."~Haywood

Located at 170 1st Avenue North Nashville, TN 37201

3 more images

The plaque reads:

Lardner Clark came from Philadelphia in the early 1780's with ten horses packed with piece goods, needles and pins. He established Nashville's first drygoods store by 1786, on a site 30 yards east. The building, which served as store, tavern and dwelling, faced south and was known as "the house with a plazza."

Erected 1963 by The Historical Commission of Metropolitan Nashville and Davidson County. (Marker Number 3.)

Located at 436 2nd Avenue North, Nashville TN 37219

3 more images

A prominent riverboat captain and Nashville businessman, Thomas Ryman was known for his generous contributions of time and money to the construction of the Union Gospel Tavernacle. In 1904, the Tabernacle was renamed the Ryman Auditorium in his honor.

Sculptor - Steve Shields

Located behind the Ryman Auditorium at 116 5th Ave North, Nashville TN 37219, United States of America.

Great for kids with lots of science adventures!

From Downtown Nashville (West End Area)
Take 4th Avenue South
Go one block south of the interstate overpass
Turn right on Oak Street beside the City Cemetery entrance
Go about 500 yards and take a 90 degree turn to the right and then immediately turn left onto Bass Street
Bass Street becomes Ft. Negley Blvd.
Adventure Science Center will be on your left.