The city of Nashville really is an incredible historical facet of the nation to study. It's not only a city that was founded on Christmas Eve (what a celebratory city!), the home of one of the oldest capitol buildings in the United States, and one of the fastest growing towns out there nowadays, but it's a city that's proud of where it came from and where it is going. Check out these fifteen old photos of Nashville that were taken throughout the 20th century and get to know the city as it once was.

1. It's not hard to figure out whether or not Tennessee is a hunting town or not...

Folks have been indulging in the sport for ages! Can you imagine going along on the Hillsboro Hounds Fox Hunt? This event took place in 1936. This photo really gives a sense of what was Nashville like in the 1900s.

2. Do you recognize Lower Broad?

This photo is from the 1960s, a bit closer to the millennium, but we can't get over how much the area has changed.

3. It's weird, isn't it, to see the capitol building standing all alone on Capitol Hill.

It's now surrounded by office buildings and skyscrapers, though this shot was taken during the capitol building renovation in the mid 1950s. Don't you just love looking at historic photos of Nashville? I know I sure do!

4. Just a quiet, normal, everyday experience in Nashville.

This undated photo gives us a solid blast from the past, especially with the old cars and outdated streetlights.

5. The War Memorial building, circa 1960.

Now you'll find festivals and community events held in the War Memorial Plaza, a far cry from the parking lot it once was.

6. An aerial photo of the city always exemplifies the growth of a town.

This photo was taken in 1935, a gorgeous overhead shot of the city we know and love so well.

7. Wait a second...

...this isn't quite a photograph, but it is fascinating to look at a city map drawn out in 1888.

8. The Parthenon was built for the city's centennial celebration in 1879, and it's remained a magnificent part of the city ever since. It's one of the oldest places in Nashville.

Centennial Park has always been expansive and gorgeous, even all the way back in 1935.

9. Check out the Davidson County courthouse back in 1920.

What a beautiful place to report for jury duty.

10. Check out this aerial view of East Nashville, just above Main Street and Woodland Street.

Who would've thought that this side of the city would be overrun by hipsters in just a few short years?

11. The west side of Capitol Hill looked a lot different back in the mid-century.

It's incredible to see just out the city has built itself up in the last seventy years.

12. The Shelby Street Bridge was just as gorgeous and beautiful back in 1908, wasn't it?

A stunning monument in the heart of downtown, most folks cross it for work every day, from the east side of the city to downtown.

13. Can you tell what part of town this 1963 photograph covers...?

It's Green Hills! Sans the ridiculous traffic at all hours of the day, of course.

14. This photo is of the old City Hospital, taken in 1894.

They just don't make hospitals like this anymore, do they?

15. This photo was taken looking north over the Shelby Avenue Bridge.

It's undated, but we do appreciate the spare skyline at the edge of the Cumberland River.

Take a look at this video of the old days of Nashville by @wnpt:

What do you think of these old photos of Nashville? Do you remember how the city looked in the 1900s? How much has it changed? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!

You can explore the city the way it exists nowadays with a visit to this classic diner -- it's the perfect way to experience the heart of a town. Through its food!

Explore Nashville in a unique way -- take Nashville’s Speakeasies Food and Cocktail Tour that will take you back in time to the 1920s with a trip to three of the city's speakeasies!