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Nashville Sites
Image 1 of 9: Photograph of Davidson County Courthouse and Public Square Park, 2012. Image courtesy of Gary Layda.
Photograph of Davidson County Courthouse and Public Square Park, 2012. Image courtesy of Gary Layda.
Former Nashville Mayor Ben West is pictured with Dr. Merle R. Eppse from the Tennessee Agricultural & Industrial State University alongside a group of Tennessee A&I students in West's city hall office circa February 1954. Image courtesty of Nashville Public Library.
Former mayor and TN governor Phil Bredesen reads to children with Dolly Parton in Pigeon Forge in 2004. Image courtesy of Metro Photographic Services.
Silent marchers at the Court House Square, Davidson County Courthouse, Nashville, Tennessee, April 19, 1960. Over 3000 participants marched in silence from the campus of Tennessee A & I University to the office of Mayor Ben West at City Hall to protest the bombing of the home of attorney Z. Alexander Looby. Image courtesy of Nashville Public Library.
The present building brought about a union of municipal and county offices in one building, approximately twenty-five years before consolidation of the two governments. The building was a significant P.W.A. project. The Courthouse is an excellent example of "Governmental" Art Deco: the symbolism and classical columns speak of a public building, but much decorative work is Art Deco. The Courthouse is also significant because of the excellent craftsmanship it contains the bronze castings, terra cotta, and carvings, for example. Image courtesy of the Library of Congress.
Metro Nashville's motorcycle policeman pose for a photo on steps of the Davidson County Courthouse in March of 1966. Image courtesy of Nashville Public Library.
Image from 1935. Courthouse and public square in the center and original marketplace building on left, with the two main buildings connected by space to sell goods. Image courtesy of Nashville Public Library.
The Charter Commission appointed by Mayor Ben West soon-to-be mayor Beverly Briley worked in the courthouse in 1962. The commission consisted of Carmack Cochran, R.N. Chenault, Z. Alexander Looby, Rebecca Thomas, Joe Torrence, Cecil Branstetter, Harlan Dodson, Edward Hicks, Victor Johnson, and Charlie Warfield. Image courtesy of Nashville Public Library.
Vice Mayor Angie Emory Henderson (center) and members of the Metro Council inside the David Scobey Council Chambers, 2025. Image courtesy of Shane Potter, Lead Metro Photographer.
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Photograph of Davidson County Courthouse and Public Square Park, 2012. Image courtesy of Gary Layda.

City Hall and Public Square

1 hr 1.0 mi 8 stops

Welcome to the City Hall and Public Square tour on Nashville Sites! We’re so glad you’re joining us on this journey through the history, culture, and civic life of our city. Nashville Sites is a free, credible, and accessible digital public history project created for a wide range of audiences—from longtime locals to first-time visitors, students to lifelong learners. Whether you’re exploring downtown or your own neighborhood, our self-guided walking tours help bring Nashville’s rich and complex stories to life.

This project is made possible by the Nashville Historical Foundation and Nashville Historical Foundation, with support from a broad coalition of community partners. Local universities and colleges, nonprofits, faith communities, and businesses have all come together to ensure we share Nashville’s full story. And while it’s our story, it’s your tour.

Hello, I’m Mayor Freddie O’Connell, the 10th Mayor of Metropolitan Nashville and Davidson County. I’m excited to co-narrate this tour with Vice Mayor Angie Henderson, president of the Metropolitan Council of Nashville and Davidson County. This tour was written by Jessica Fitzpatrick and Russell LeStourgeon with assistance from Abby Hikade and Dr. Learotha Williams Jr.

Nashville’s local government is no small operation—it includes more than 50 departments and agencies, an annual budget of more than $3.5 billion, and a workforce of about 10,000 employees. This tour will help you better understand how the government functions and how it has shaped the city we know today. If you’re unable to access the interior of the building, you can complete the tour virtually.

A quick note: Each stop includes a pop-up trivia question and a fun fact. You’ll find all the answers in the conclusion. So let’s get started! We invite you to walk, listen, read, and reflect as we explore the people, places, and policies that have shaped Music City for more than 200 years.

The tour begins outside in Public Square. Click on Next Stop to begin. Depending on your surroundings, you may prefer to listen using earbuds rather than your phone’s speaker.

Start Walking Tour Take Virtual Tour Get Directions to Start
Tour Stops
1

Public Square

1 Public Square, Nashville, TN 37201

2

PWA Art and Architecture, Exterior

1 Public Square, Nashville, TN 37201

3

Legislative Branch, Second Floor

1 Public Square, Nashville, TN 37201

4

Interior Art and Architecture, Mezzanine

1 Public Square, Nashville, TN 37201

5

Judicial Branch, Fifth Floor

1 Public Square, Nashville, TN 37201

6

Executive Branch and Conclusion, First Floor

1 Public Square, Nashville, TN 37201

7

Spanish Language Version of Tour

1 Public Square, Nashville, TN 37201

8

Arabic Language Version of the Tour

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