University of Nashville, Lindsley Hall, and Litterer Laboratory

You’re looking at one of the oldest buildings in Nashville. The construction of Lindsley Hall began over 170 years ago—six years before the State Capitol was finished and seven years before the Civil War began in 1861. This impressive Gothic Revival structure was visible from Nashville’s bustling river port on the bank of the Cumberland. That said, downtown Nashville looked very different. Most buildings and homes were single or two-story structures. At the time, it was the largest building project in the city, and its completion in 1853 marked a major milestone for the city. Atop what was called “University Hill,” Lindsley Hall also became a literal symbol of Nashville as Athens of the South.

In the introduction we told you about the founding of the University of Nashville in 1785, so now let’s fast forward to 1855. The first president, Philip Lindsley was succeeded by his son, John Berrien Lindsley who served as chancellor from 1855 to 1870. He led a merger between the university and a school called the Western Military Institute, and then began a building campaign which included the limestone block building you see today. In his honor, this grand stone structure was named Lindsley Hall. 

When the Civil War began in 1860, Lindsley Hall was used as a medical school and a space for the Confederate Army. Then in 1862, when U.S. troops recaptured the city, the building served as a hospital for Union troops. After the war, the University of Nashville’s undergraduate program reopened but floundered. Meanwhile, the medical college flourished, and a new boys’ high school was established in 1867.

In 1875, following a $1 million gift from the George Peabody Fund, the University of Nashville split into three entities. The high school, Montgomery Bell Academy, continued to operate as a boys’ prep school. The medical school was incorporated into Vanderbilt University. And while the University of Nashville ceased its collegiate program, the Peabody College for Teachers opened in its place to educate K-12 teachers. Peabody remained at this location until 1914 when it moved west to a property across the street from Vanderbilt University. 

From 1914 to 1945 this building served as an armory and a public health center, and from 1945 to 1974 it was the home of the Nashville Children’s Museum. Lindsley Hall was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1971. Since 1974, this historic building houses offices for Nashville’s Metro Government. Yes, this building has seen it all and remains a hidden historical gem tucked into Metro Nashville’s Howard Office complex. 

Before driving to our next stop, let’s look at the other surviving building from the University of Nashville era. Walk to the corner of 2nd Ave. and Middleton Ave. Locate the building with the words Vanderbilt University Litterer Laboratory inscribed in stone at the top.

This brick building on the corner of 2nd and Elm Street was originally part of Peabody College. Then, in 1895, the building was remodeled with several architectural elements—including Italian Renaissance. It became the University of Nashville’s Medical School. In 1915, Nashville Mayor William Litterer purchased this building and donated it to Vanderbilt University in honor of his nephew, who was a noted pathologist and Vanderbilt professor. 

During World War I, the Litterer Labs served as a site for chemical weapons research led by Dr. Litterer—who was also the head bacteriologist for the Tennessee Board of Health. In 1925, Vanderbilt closed its downtown location, including the Litterer Laboratory. Over the last century, the building has housed a hardware store, restaurant, and other businesses. In the fall of 2019, the building returned to its educational roots when Templeton Academy opened as a private high school.

Just to the right of the Litterer Lab is the James Geddes Engine Company No. 6 fire station, constructed in 1886 and operating as an active fire station until 1967. To learn more about the Vanderbilt Litterer Lab and the James Geddes Engine Company take our New South Nashville walking tour.

Now we’ll head to our next stop: the Nashville YMCA and TSU Avon Williams campus. From the parking lot, turn LEFT onto Middleton Street then RIGHT onto Second Ave. Follow Second Ave. to Broadway then turn LEFT. Learn more about the history and architecture of Lower Broadway on our Music in Music City (South) and South Broadway Architecture tours. Drive six blocks west on Broadway. Before turning RIGHT onto Rosa L. Parks Blvd. you’ll see Hume-Fogg Academic Magnet School at 700 Broadway. This is Nashville’s oldest public high school—originally Hume School (1855) and Fogg School (1874.) Learn more on our Downtown Schools and Education tour.

On Rosa Parks Blvd. you’ll see The Standard restaurant on your left and next to that a historical marker for Ward Seminary. We’ll talk more about Ward Seminary at our next stop. Turn LEFT onto Church Street then RIGHT onto YMCA Way. Drive past the building a bit to find street parking between the YMCA and TSU’s Avon Williams Campus. Feel free to get out and walk to either building as you listen to the next stop.