Search the Community

This thread will be committed to spotlighting and discussing historical Nashville structures (older than 1940) that have been repurposed/revitalized or should be considered for such. With all of our booming new development, it is nice to also see older structures with character being utilized for fresh purposes. Some of these were once working factories, or administrative buildings, or warehouses, or churches, or machine shops, or mills, or armories, or retail/restaurant establishments. When posting about a particular structure or block, it would be great if you could provide links or brief mentions as to their histories, what they are being used for now (or what you envision they could be), and photos would most certainly be welcomed. Let's get things started with a group of buildings that have been re-imagined numerous times since their initial construction in 1883: Cannery Row. Located on the NE edge of the railroad yards known as the Gulch, and facing 8th Avenue South as it's primary entry point on it's eastern edge. Originally it was built as a warehousing for the food processing industry, with an emphasis on wheat products. In the 1920s it was known for it's coffee distribution. By the late 50s it had converted to canning for jams, jellies, mustard, ketchup, and peanut butter. In the late 70s one of its large rooms was converted in a music room for country artists. Since then it has evolved into several well-know such rooms (Cannery Ballroom, Mercy Lounge, High Watt), as well as the home of many businesses, many of which are for more creative types. I believe that the revitalization of The Cannery was a main factor in the same happening at Cummins Station, and then spilled across the tracks into the transformation of The Gulch. More history and a nice slide show is available here: http://canneryrownashville.com/

As we all know, Music Row has gone through many changes over the years. I would like to encourage those who have photos of such changes to share them here. Some buildings have been demolished, some simply remodeled. I know that there is a Topic for those that have been remodeled, but I'm having difficulties finding one for those that have been demolished then redeveloped. If you could, please post the address, a photo of the building/business before being demolished and the new building/business. The date the old building was constructed and demolished, along with the date the new building was constructed. In addition, if you are not the photographer, please give credit &/or a link to the article/photo. The loose boundaries for Music Row are: North - Broadway, East End Ave. & I-40 South - Wedgewood Ave. West - 19th Ave. South East - 16th Ave. South Thank you for posting!