Edgefield
The part of Nashville across the river was once a separate city. Early on in the late 1700s, there were large tract holders of considerable size, joined by newcomers like Neil Brown, an early Gov. of Tennessee, and Dr. John Shelby--the first white child born in Sumner County. By the 1850s parcels began to be divided--bringing more residents. The East Side was cut off from Nashville during the Civil War, but a re-built Woodland Street Bridge and railroads helped fuel a boom. And created a knack for bouncing back. The City of Edgefield was incorporated in 1869 with a population of about 3500 residents.
Even then, Edgefield had a fierce independence, setting its own rules and creating a lifestyle that was diverse, yet amenable to residents of varying economic status. Commercial interests settled near the river. Family groceries, drug stores, livery stables and blacksmiths, barber shops and dry goods were scattered through out this small city. The public school system provided education for both white and African-American children--pretty unusual for the time. Churches of every denomination dotted the city. Many residents were commuters, working or owning businesses in the central city of Nashville. Edgefield was so successful, the 'East End Addition' to Edgefield expanded its city limits in 1875.
Pressure to provide city services to the growing number of residents in Edgefield, coupled with Nashville's desire to be a "big' city, converged in a contentious vote to merge the two. The city of Nashville got bigger in 1880, by only 16 votes on the east side, and only after meeting Edgefield's terms for each city to pay off its own debt. Edgefield owed $25,000. Debt ridden Nashville owed nearly two million. Eastsiders were setting the standard early on.
Edgefield's building boom continued well past the turn of the century. The East Nashville Fire on March 22, 1916 changed the look of things significantly. In less than a day, 648 homes, countless businesses, schools and churches were wiped out. The largest urban fire in Tennessee history made its mark in a 64-acre swath, two and a half miles long reaching to Shelby Street and beyond.
Long gone was the fancy for Victorian styles of every conceivable description; transitional styles from the turn of the century had passed, too. The bungalow now was 'the' style of choice, filling the burned gaps and often built atop the remains of earlier buildings. Edgefield bounced back again. There was a flood in 1932, followed by a tornado in '33. Then the largest Urban Renewal and Redevelopment Project in the United States was announced in 1958 (the billboards said so) and landed on Nashville's east side. More change than anyone imagined was in store for the next 15 years.
By the mid-1970s, East Nashville began another bounce back. Nashville's preservation firsts took place right here--the first neighborhood National Register District: Historic Edgefield. Then came the first local Historic Zoning District (and only the second in Tennessee), the first infill developments, and the list continues. When another tornado on April 16, 1998 blasted the area, many thought that would be the last straw. "How many times can a neighborhood bounce back?" As many times as it takes! Through the spirit of East Nashville neighbors--that early fierce independence and entrepreneurial spirit came alive once more: rebuilding, redevelopment, redefining, embracing diversity in buildings and neighbors, and all the while preserving the historical fabric of East Nashville. Preservation with a twist! For more information visit historicedgefield.org.
East End
With the early successful boom in the City of Edgefield during the last quarter of the 1800s, the East End Addition to Edgefield was enfolded into its city limits--another four blocks or so were added to the easternmost border of the small city. This area was also annexed to Nashville in 1880 and experienced the boom times of the late 20th century. The East End, a portion of a larger combined National Register District, is filled with late Victorian style and turn of the century homes. The Fire of 1916 spared this part of the city, having traveled a more southerly route. Houses and other buildings remained mostly intact until Urban Renewal arrived in the late 1950's. As change came elsewhere, it did here, too. But progress in preservation on the east side expanded, and East End joined the historic ranks with a new category of local historic designation: Conservation Zoning. Now, amidst the early homes are new commercial mixed use developments and infill residential units that bring even more neighbors to the historic East End. For more information, visit eastendnashville.org.
Five Points
What has late Victorian era houses, 1920s commercial buildings, urban infill, a former Quonset hut wrecker service--and a VW bus? Why our very own Five Points, of course! The buzz about East Nashville, in large part, is due to the success of this commercial area. Like the overnight success in a hit movie that's really been around for quite awhile--so, too, is Five Points. Neighboring residential preservation set the stage. Following the Tornado in 1998, there were neighbors with true entrepreneurial spirit that begin the rebirth of this commercial center of East Nashville. For a long time it was East Nashville's best kept secret, but it's hard to keep a secret like this! Five Points has now become a destination for people across the city.
Wine and dinner at Rumors-- Antiques next door at Wonders on Woodland-- As you stroll down Woodland Street, listen for music from the Green Room stage at ArtHouse Gardens. You'll find it right behind 'I Dream of Weenie' --that VW bus that in the clever spirit of East Nashville was preserved and is living a new life serving up specialty hot dogs. Next door is Art and Invention, home of art and goodies and initiator of the Tomato Art Fest. We know other places celebrate roses, or dogwoods or whatever but this is East Nashville, after all. Step inside and you'll find out what all that's about. And you'll be marking your calendar for the second Saturday of August to return for East Nashville's late summer homage to the Tomato!
Catch a late night cup of coffee at Bongo Java. Or handmade ice cream at the Pied Piper Creamery: 24 flavors handmade each and every day. Beyond the Edge is just next door, and then our newest spot on the row -- Drifters BarBQ. From the corner at 3 Crow Bar to Battered and Fried are a variety of local businesses. Need a new bicycle? Or a pound of nails? Fraidy and Annie may be snoozing in the window of Cumberland Hardware. Want a bottle of wine? Step across the street to Woodland Wine Merchant. Turnip Truck, catty-corner across the way, is where you'll head if you want something healthy.. Funny thing--this building started as a grocery back nearly 100 years ago, and spent several decades as an auto repair shop. What goes around comes around sometimes. A late dinner a Margot's will require a reservation--be sure to call ahead. The old gas station never would have dreamed it would take on this new life! Notice the legendary Woodland Studio as you pass by in its first life: the Woodland Theater. It became a recording studio decades ago. Quick! Think of somebody famous! Betcha they recorded here, because everybody did. The Beatles'! Yes, even the Fab Four. Liberace. No kidding--he even owned the place for a time. Singers and performers from across the varied spectrum have made their music here, and still do. There's no telling who you might spot going in or out.
By day or night, Five Points has something for just about everyone. You can find it here!