8 Things You May Not Know About Nashville and Its History
Courtesy of Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp
Whether you’re prepping for a trivia night or simply love discovering fun facts, Nashville is full of surprises. From legendary music to iconic cuisine, the city’s history runs deep. Our favorite way to experience it all? On a Walk Eat Nashville Food Tour led by a Nashville-expert guide. Whichever tour you choose, you’ll leave with a full stomach and a new appreciation for Music City.
1. Nashville was founded on Christmas Eve in 1779
James Robertson and a group of settlers founded Nashville on the banks of the Cumberland River, making it a prime spot for trade and growth. The city boomed with the arrival of the railroad in the early 1800s and continues to be one of the fastest-growing cities in the U.S. today.
Bonus: For a deeper dive into Tennessee’s story, stroll through Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park, built to mark the state’s 200th anniversary. It’s just north of downtown and across from the bustling Nashville Farmers’ Market.
2. Nashville invented hot chicken
Prince’s Hot Chicken has been serving its fiery specialty since 1945. Legend has it that Thorton Prince’s girlfriend created the spicy recipe to punish him for cheating—but instead, it became a hit. For years, hot chicken remained a mostly local tradition, found mainly in neighborhood restaurants. In the last decade, though, it’s become a must-try Nashville dish that visitors from all over the world seek out.
3. The Athens of the South has a Parthenon
Nicknamed the “Athens of the South” for its universities, Nashville built the world’s only full-scale replica of the Greek Parthenon in 1897 for the Tennessee Centennial Exposition. Originally a temporary structure, it was rebuilt in the 1920s to stand permanently in Centennial Park. At sunset, its massive columns glow golden, making it one of the city’s most photographed landmarks. Inside, you’ll also find a 42-foot statue of Athena, one of the tallest indoor statues in the Western Hemisphere.
Bonus: Explore the museum inside or spread out on the lawn for a picnic with one of the city’s best views.
4. Nashville presses vinyl for music legends
United Record Pressing, founded in 1949, is the largest vinyl record manufacturer in North America. They’ve pressed albums for Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, Dolly Parton, and Taylor Swift. During segregation, the company even built a Motown Suite inside its plant so Black artists could have a safe place to stay while recording in Nashville. Today, as vinyl enjoys a worldwide comeback, United is still pressing records for everyone from indie artists to international superstars.
5. Why Nashville is called Music City
Nashville’s music history runs far deeper than country. Gospel, blues, rock, and R&B all found footing here. The city officially earned the nickname “Music City” in the 1870s, when the Fisk Jubilee Singers performed for Queen Victoria. She was so impressed by their talent that she remarked they must come from “a city of music.” From the Jubilee Singers and the Grand Ole Opry to today’s bustling Music Row, Nashville has lived up to that name ever since.
Bonus: Join our Music Row Food Tour to explore how Nashville became a hub for the recording industry while making five tasty food stops along the way.
6. The Fisk Jubilee Singers built a legacy
Formed in 1871 by George Leonard White, the Fisk Jubilee Singers toured with just nine members and raised $50,000 for Fisk University. Their efforts funded Jubilee Hall, completed in 1876 as the first permanent building in the South built specifically for the higher education of African Americans. The group also introduced the world to the spiritual, a uniquely American music tradition that influenced gospel, blues, and jazz. Jubilee Hall still stands today and houses first-year women on campus.
7. Goo Goo Clusters started in Nashville
Since 1912, Goo Goo Clusters—a mix of chocolate, caramel, marshmallow nougat, and peanuts—have been a Nashville classic. They’re widely recognized as the first combination candy bar in the United States, created long before Snickers or Reese’s. Made by the Standard Candy Company, Goo Goos remain an essential part of Nashville’s sweet history.
Today, Goo Goo also makes hand-painted bon bons that take three days to create, adding an artisan layer to their tradition.
Bonus: You’ll even get to try a Goo Goo on our Downtown Nashville Food Tour, or you can sign up for a Goo Goo candy-making class to craft your own creation.
8. Three U.S. presidents lived in Nashville
Nashville was home to Presidents Andrew Jackson, James K. Polk, and Andrew Johnson. Jackson’s estate, The Hermitage, is now one of the most visited presidential homes in the country, with a museum, gardens, and even a winery. Polk’s tomb is located at the Tennessee State Capitol, and his home and museum are just a short drive south in Columbia, TN. Johnson, who later became the 17th president, spent time in Nashville during his political career.
Bonus: Some say Jackson even had the driveway at The Hermitage poured in the shape of a guitar—a fun bit of foreshadowing of Nashville’s future as Music City.
