The Nashville Centennial Exposition began on April 24, 1880, and ran through May 29. A temporary building, designed by William C. Smith (1837-1899) and costing over twenty thousand dollars, was constructed with the purpose of housing exhibits celebrating Nashville’s progress over its first one-hundred years. The building stood directly across from the historic Customs House on the southeast corner of what was then Spruce Street, now Eighth Avenue, and Broad Street, now Broadway. During the Exposition, events such as parades, speeches, and firework shows were held both at the building and throughout the city. A statue of Andrew Jackson (1767-1845) was unveiled of on the grounds of the State Capitol as well. As of 2019, the site was occupied by a federal courthouse.
Nashville Centennial
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Description
The Nashville Centennial Exposition began on April 24, 1880, and ran through May 29. A temporary building, designed by William C. Smith (1837-1899) and costing over twenty thousand dollars, was constructed with the purpose of housing exhibits celebrating Nashville’s progress over its first one-hundred years. The building stood directly across from the historic Customs House on the southeast corner of what was then Spruce Street, now Eighth Avenue, and Broad Street, now Broadway. During the Exposition, events such as parades, speeches, and firework shows were held both at the building and throughout the city. A statue of Andrew Jackson (1767-1845) was unveiled of on the grounds of the State Capitol as well. As of 2019, the site was occupied by a federal courthouse.