East Nashville

Welcome to East Nashville—an area that includes some of the city’s most popular neighborhoods and Nashville’s oldest suburb. For over 200 years, this area has transformed from a rural suburb into a thriving and beautiful urban district. Even within East Nashville, there are several distinct neighborhoods, and this tour touches three of them—Edgefield, East End, and Lockeland Springs. The origins of this historic and eclectic neighborhood date back to land grants in the late 1700s and early 1800s, as the newly formed United States began to claim territory west of the original thirteen colonies. Buffered by the Cumberland River, this area provided refuge from the hustle and bustle of downtown’s river port and markets. This separation led to the development of East Nashville’s distinct identity—driven by diversity, resilience, creativity, and a deep sense of community.

That said, East Nashville’s charm has come at a cost. From a devastating fire in 1916 to the 2020 tornado, let’s just say that East Nashville has endured more than its fair share of natural disasters. In addition, rising property values have led to demolition of historic properties, while gentrification continues to negatively affect lower income residents. Today, you will see evidence of this transition in business hubs such as Main Street and Five Points, but remnants of East Nashville’s architectural history remain, and you’ll see many of these gems on this tour.

Hi, I’m Kaleigh Whitman. I’m the assistant director of tours at Nashville Sites, and, for the past four years a resident of East Nashville. Come with me as we explore the complex past and present of East Nashville. Here at Nashville Sites, our motto is “Our Story. Your Tour.” So, enjoy your tour, tag us @NashvilleSites on social media, and consider making a small donation to support us!

Begin the tour at First Baptist Church East Nashville at 601 Main Street.