The Downtown Presbyterian Church in Nashville, Tennessee has a history that sets this small southern "It" town on fire. With a past that dates back to the Civil War and an interior design that's unlike any other in the United States, you're sure to fall completely in love. Take a look at this chapel, then visit yourself- this is one beautiful place.
Originally known as The First Presbyterian Church, shown here circa 1866, the name was changed to The Downtown Presbyterian Church after 1955. It is currently listed as a National Historic Landmark.
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The church was designed by the famed William Strickland, and opened for the first time in 1851. This photo dates back to around 1946, though the precise date is not known.
You can visit the church now, it's located at 154 Fifth Avenue in Downtown Nashville. Interesting fact? In 1954, the church split over a disagreement regarding school segregation.
The church interior was modeled after the design of an ancient Egyptian temple. Note the six large columns at the front of the sanctuary.
Due to its stunning and realistic design, the church is a prime example of Egyptian Revival architecture and remains one of the most lauded in the United States.
The Egyptian design made headway in 1882, but for the three decades beforehand the church was much humbler, and served as a hospital for soldiers during the Civil War.
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Nashville has a stunning bit of history, right here. It's a gorgeous depiction of the past, touting the stunning reality of northern Africa's artistic prowess.
Nashville is most definitely a river town, and it makes the most of its Cumberland River ties with some pretty great bridges. You really can't get around the city without crossing at least one - or two- of them. It's our neat pedestrian bridges that we find to be the best, though - these Nashville bridges encourage you to take in a bit of the beauty of the outdoors without the musty drudgery of a car. Plus, HELLO romantic date ideas!
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1. John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge
The John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge, originally the Sparkman Street Bridge and later the Shelby Street Bridge, was closed to vehicular traffic in 1998 and reopened as a pedestrian bridge in 2003. The bridge is named after local journalist and civil rights advocate, John Seigenthaler, who once physically stopped a man from committing suicide off the bridge.
Fun fact: Big & Rich shot the entire music video for "Save a Horse (Ride a Cowboy)" on this bridge, although it was pretty iconic even before that! This bridge is gorgeous both day and night.
2. Cumberland River Pedestrian Bridge
Opened in 2008, this is one of the more popular bridges in Nashville for running and bike riding, even for those who live outside the city. It connects Shelby Bottoms to Two Rivers Park (and the greenway system all the way out to Percy Priest Dam). While there are a number of pedestrian bridges in Nashville that allow both vehicles and foot traffic, only pedestrians are allowed on this 745-foot bridge.
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3. Cumberland Bypass Bridge
Open to train traffic only, the old Louisville & Nashville Railroad was built as a spur of the main line in order to bypass downtown's Union Station.
4. Cumberland River Swing Bridge
Not to be confused with the Swinging Bridge at Cumberland Mountain State Park, the current version of this bridge was built in 1931, and, like the Bypass Bridge, is only open to train traffic. No foot traffic - really truly. Don't. It's illegal. It was originally built in 1858 as a covered bridge, and was modified and fortified for the Battle of Nashville in 1864 but was burned by Confederate forces.
Check out the videos below to see the "swing" in action, as well as the bridge in real-time use!
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5. Korean Veterans Memorial Bridge
This solidly travelled bridge was completed in 2004 to handle the traffic no longer traveling on the Shelby Street Bridge (now the Pedestrian Bridge). It has 6 lanes of traffic and sidewalks. LED lights were added in 2015 to light up the bridge for special events and holidays. It is able to handle six lanes of traffic and also boasts sidewalks. In the second photo, you'll notice it's incredibly close to the John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge!
With fifteen bridges spanning the Cumberland in the Nashville area, this is just a small smattering of the coolest bridges in Nashville - not to mention in the state. But seriously, they're the most fun. We're just not for that overpass life here!
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Are you an architecture aficionado enchanted by these bridges in Nashville, TN? Are there any overlooked bridges in the city we should have mentioned?
Well, if you're ready for something ELSE to ogle, this iconic hotel boasts some incredibly photo-worthy architecture of its own, plus a fascinating history and luxurious rooms to boot.
Old Stone Fort State Archaeological Park was built 2,000 years ago by Native Americans and is now protected by the state of Tennessee. Take a walk amongst its towering trees and breathe in the smell of middle Tennessee. You may have to fight the humidity, but this beautiful space pulses with history and will amaze even the youngest of visitors. Perhaps the most interesting thing about this park is what is hidden inside. Among the overgrowth, you can see ancient remnants of past people tucked away in the forest. These ruins near Nashville are enticing visitors to come in and take a trip through time. So come and walk with us, and learn a bit about this beautiful place we call home.
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The Old Stone Fort in Coffee County, Tennessee was built between 80 AD and 550 AD, during what is known as the Middle Woodland Period. You can still visit parts of it today in the Old Stone Fort State Archaeological Park, which is about an hour's drive south of Nashville.
The Manchester-based protected park is a great place to learn about this strange, beautifully preserved piece of state history. There is a small museum and beautiful hiking trails, and the waterways are so clear you can see straight to the bottom. Still, the number one draw may possibly be the ruins that lay hidden within the woods.
Native Americans used the area in and around the park for more than 500 years, although it was eventually abandoned. The ruins never functioned as a fort, however. When European settlers came through Tennessee, they had no idea what the area was used as, but they decided to name it a fort anyway. Perhaps it was the easiest way to name such a strangely stunning place.
It was in 1966 that the state decided to purchase part of the privately owned Chumley Estate. More than 400 acres from the property became the core of the Old Stone Fort State Archaeological Park.
While at the park, you will want to find the Enclosure Wall Trail, which you can download a map on AllTrails before you go. On that hike, you will have the chance to visit what was once a ceremonial gathering place for local Native Americans. The entrance to the fort was even designed to face where the sun rises from the horizon on June 20th — the summer solstice. Plus, there are multiple waterfalls throughout the park that are positively lovely.
You can see here the very limited remains of one of the paper mills that ran along the Duck River. There used to be quite a few in the area, with all having since gone to ruin.
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If you're a history buff, heading to the Old Stone Fort is quite a treat. You can take in dioramic displays in the on-site museum or view an orientation film at their small theater. You can visit from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., seven days a week. Happy adventuring, dear ones!
Next time you are visiting our state's capitol take a trip to see these ruins near Nashville. Not only is it a beautiful forest filled with towering trees and limestone ledges, but there are waterfalls, tranquil streams, and of course the remains of an ancient past. This is a fascinating hike for anyone interested in history or someone who loves to find abandoned places. So feel free to explore Middle Tennessee and allow the scenery to impress you once again at this wonderful state park. For more information please visit the Old Fort State Archeological Park website.
If you are interested in digging into the past then check out the Earth Experience to see fossils of old. It is only a 30-minute drive from the Old Fort State Archeological Park!